At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct behavioural experiments and analyse data on how mice process smells.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic, inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in neuroscience and sensory research with cutting-edge techniques.
- Qualifications: Degree in Neuroscience or related field; hands-on animal research experience required.
The predicted salary is between 31695 - 31695 £ per year.
Salary for this Role: From £31,695 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
Reports to: Andreas Schaefer
Closing Date: 13/Nov/2026 23.59 GMT
Details of the role: This is a full-time, fixed-term (1 year) contract position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
About us: The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture.
The Research Group: This role supports research investigating how the brain processes smells and converts them into signals that drive behaviour in mice. The postholder will work under the supervision of Dr Olivia Pedroncini in the Sensory Circuits and Neurotechnology group led by Prof Andreas Schaefer. The lab investigates how olfactory information is processed and represented in the brain, using a variety of techniques ranging from physiological approaches such as electrophysiology and calcium imaging to connectomics and the development of novel neurotechnologies.
The Project: This project investigates how mice use odour cues to locate rewards while foraging, with a focus on understanding which aspects of complex odour environments influence decision making and when animals rely most on smell. The role will involve conducting behavioural experiments, analysing data and applying computational modelling to better understand olfactory guided behaviour. This work will form part of a broader research programme exploring how sensory information is encoded by neural circuits and how these circuits generate adaptive behaviour.
What you will be doing: You will:
- Conduct behavioural experiments in freely moving mice, including training animals on olfactory foraging tasks.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of behavioural data acquisition and analysis pipelines.
- Maintain accurate and well-organised experimental records.
- Present research findings at internal lab meetings and seminars.
About you: You will have:
- Undergraduate degree in Neuroscience, Biology, or a closely related discipline (or equivalent research experience).
- Hands-on experience with animal research.
- Prior exposure to neuroscience laboratory techniques.
- Interest in systems neuroscience and/or olfactory processing.
- Experience handling large datasets.
- Experience with data analysis, ideally in Python.
About Working at the Crick: Our values include being bold, open, and collegial. At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.
What will you receive? At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services, occupational health services and mental health support programs, eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents, childcare support allowance, annual leave purchase options.
- Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
- Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
Laboratory Research Officer - Sensory Circuits and Neurotechnology Laboratory employer: The Francis Crick Institute
The Francis Crick Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture that fosters professional growth and development. With a focus on high-quality research and compliance, employees benefit from working alongside leading experts in the field, while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. Located in the heart of London, the institute provides unique opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking clinical studies that make a real difference in healthcare.
Contact Details:
The Francis Crick Institute Recruitment Team
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