At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cutting-edge metabolomics projects and collaborate with top researchers.
- Company: Join a prestigious MRC research institute linked with Imperial College.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, London allowance, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in understanding human diseases through advanced science.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field or equivalent experience; hands-on LC-MS skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42159 - 42159 £ per year.
Salary: £42,159 plus London Allowance £5,560 per annum
Fixed term until 31 March 2028 | Full time | Location: Hammersmith, London
Closing date 18 June 2026
Overall purpose: The Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) at Hammersmith Hospital is a core‑funded MRC research institute and enjoys close links with its partners at Imperial College and at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The LMS's research focuses on strengthening the basic science underpinning our understanding of human diseases and the translation of such high‑quality research into a clinical setting. Within the LMS, the Metabolomics facility focuses on advanced collaborative requirements in metabolomics and lipidomics. The facility is actively expanding its high‑resolution technology base through the onboarding of next‑generation Orbitrap architectures and upcoming Tribid installations.
Main duties / key responsibilities:
- To lead the development of validation of metabolomics mass spectrometry based‑workflows, with a focus on high‑resolution platforms.
- To take the scientific and technical lead on the metabolomics component of collaborative projects.
- To operate and maintain liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS) systems (Thermo Orbitrap Excedion Pro, IQ-X, Waters TQ‑XS).
- To establish, track, and review rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) metrics to ensure data accuracy and instrument stability.
- To perform advanced hardware troubleshooting and coordinate directly with service engineers.
- To train and work collaboratively with team members as well as researchers in MRC LMS research groups.
- To disseminate skills and expertise by assisting collaborators with experimental design, sample extraction protocols, and data interpretation.
- To develop and apply computational pipelines for complex data analysis (targeted and untargeted) and data visualization.
- To contribute to peer‑reviewed publications and maintain accurate, complete records of analysis projects and methods.
- To present and communicate methods and results at facility meetings, workshops, and seminars.
- To oversee facility consumables infrastructure and track system utilization metrics.
- To comply with LMS safety practices and deliver safety training when appropriate.
Other Duties:
- To undertake appropriate administration tasks.
- To attend relevant meetings.
- To undertake any necessary training and/or professional development.
- Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by the supervisor.
Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements: The job holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:
- Code of Conduct
- Equality and Diversity policy
- Health and Safety policy
- Data Protection and Security policy
Person requirements:
Education / Qualifications / Training required:
- PhD in Analytical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related discipline or alternatively, equivalent professional experience.
Knowledge and experience:
- Hands‑on experience with LC‑MS and development of metabolomics workflows on high‑resolution platforms (such as Thermo Orbitrap Excedion Pro/IQ‑X).
- Hands‑on experience with LC‑triple quadrupole (such as Waters TQ‑XS).
- Proficiency in the acquisition and processing of metabolomics data including the implementation of rigorous data QA and QC tracking.
- Ability to take the technical and scientific lead on the metabolomics component of collaborative research projects.
- Experience of working with biological and biomedical scientists in a collaborative fashion from experimental design to data interpretation.
- Previous experience of working with biological and clinical samples.
- Ability to communicate well, train scientists and disseminate skills and expertise.
- Track record of contribution to peer reviewed publications.
Desirable:
- Experience of developing targeted and untargeted metabolomics workflows, including stable isotope labeling incorporation experiments.
- Hands‑on experience with gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS).
- Experience of programming or script utilization (e.g., using R) for data analysis and visualization.
- Previous experience of managing other research staff.
- Experience of MS‑imaging approaches.
Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:
- Willingness to work closely with colleagues and line manager to actively collaborate on complex biological questions and drive the scientific goals of researchers within the institute.
- Willingness to develop and implement advance state‑of‑the‑art metabolomics workflows.
- High level of motivation and drive.
- Willingness to share knowledge and skills with other members of the team on a daily basis.
- Flexible attitude towards work.
- Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times.
- Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role.
- Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct research and attend conferences.
Metabolomic Scientist employer: UKRI
The Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) at Hammersmith Hospital is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration with leading researchers from Imperial College and the NHS. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, access to cutting-edge technology in metabolomics, and the opportunity to contribute to impactful research that translates into clinical applications. With a commitment to quality assurance and a culture of knowledge sharing, LMS provides a supportive atmosphere for scientists to thrive and make meaningful contributions to human health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Metabolomic Scientist
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the metabolomics field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meetups. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can introduce you to someone at the LMS.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with LC-MS and your ability to lead collaborative projects. Share specific examples of your work that demonstrate your expertise!
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Brush up on your knowledge of high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms and metabolomics workflows. Be prepared to discuss your troubleshooting skills and how you've maintained QA/QC metrics in past projects.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at the LMS.
We think you need these skills to ace Metabolomic Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Metabolomics Scientist role. Highlight your hands-on experience with LC-MS and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about metabolomics and how your background fits with our research goals. Be sure to mention any collaborative projects you've been involved in, as teamwork is key for us.
Showcase Your Publications:If you've contributed to peer-reviewed publications, make sure to include them in your application. This shows us your ability to communicate complex ideas and your commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and our work!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specific mass spectrometry platforms mentioned in the job description, like the Thermo Orbitrap Excedion Pro and Waters TQ‑XS. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these systems and any troubleshooting you've done.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with researchers, so be prepared to share examples of past collaborations. Highlight how you’ve contributed to experimental design and data interpretation in a team setting, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead metabolomics components effectively.
✨Prepare for Data Discussions
Since the position requires a strong focus on data QA and QC, brush up on your knowledge of data acquisition and processing. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented rigorous tracking metrics in previous roles and how you approach complex data analysis.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You’ll need to present methods and results at meetings and workshops, so practice explaining your work clearly. Think about how you can convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible way, as this will show your ability to train others and disseminate knowledge effectively.
