Senior Laboratory Research Scientist Pharmacologist

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.

We are looking for two Senior Laboratory Research Scientists to join the Chemical Biology Science Technology Platform at the Crick. The Chemical Biology STP collaborates with researchers at the Crick to apply chemistry to explore biological questions, working at the cutting edge of biomedical science in disciplines such as cancer, infectious disease, immunology, neurology, and developmental biology. We are seeking a creative and driven molecular pharmacologist, with expertise in a range of in vitro assays technologies and their application in early drug discovery projects.

As an SLRS, you will contribute to establishing state‑of‑the‑art screening approaches for the identification and optimisation of chemical modulators of protein targets. Furthermore, the role will require in‑depth knowledge of approaches to link the mechanism of probes or drugs to the treatment of disease. This role presents the opportunity to build on the capabilities being built in the Chemical Biology STP, in collaboration with Screening and Automated Science and Structural Biology STPs, to influence translational science at the Crick.

What you will be doing: Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Close collaboration with colleagues in aligned STPs (including SAS, Structural Biology, Proteomics, NMR) to continue to establish state‑of‑the‑art cross‑STP screening approaches for hit identification, validation and optimisation against novel targets.
• Proactive suggestions of suitable assay technologies that enable the selection of potential probes and therapeutics.
• Application of these approaches to Crick translational projects, advising on screening strategy for new targets and supporting the development of assays for compound screening.
• Contribution to interdisciplinary drug discovery teams as a molecular pharmacologist, taking accountability for the development of complex biological assays and the elucidation of mechanism of action.
• Scientific leadership as an assay area expert; staying abreast of the latest literature and developments in the field; and driving technology projects that optimise/modernise the current drug discovery process.

This position may be appointed at a Principal Senior Laboratory Research Scientist level, for applicants who demonstrate the skills and substantial relevant experience.

About you: You will have:

• PhD (or equivalent experience level) in a relevant discipline such as biochemistry, pharmacology or chemical biology.
• Experience of working in a drug discovery environment (in either academia or industry) for at least two years.
• A strong track record of developing and carrying out innovative assay solutions to address chemical biology or medicinal chemistry questions.
• Understanding of theoretical and practical enzymology and/or molecular pharmacology for the characterisation of recombinant targets, combined with a track record of high laboratory productivity.
• Experience and knowledge of in vitro biochemical assay technologies such as time resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer and fluorescence polarisation.
• Proficiency with a range of data analysis and visualisation tools, such as GraphPad Prism (or Origin, SigmaPlot, Grafit), Dotmatics, Spotfire, Dotmatics Vortex, or equivalent software.

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 programmes.
• 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.