Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Salary: £42,694 plus London allowances £5,560 per annum. Additional allowances comprise a £1,000 lump sum Settlement Allowance plus a yearly Training Allowance of £850 in the first year, paid in monthly instalments. The Training Allowance increases to £1,300 in year two, and £1,800 in the third year. Fixed Term 3-years | Full time | Location: Hammersmith, London | Closing Date: 7 June 2026.

Overall purpose: The Endocrine Signalling in Inflammation group investigates how gut hormones and related peptides modulate systemic inflammation via the gut-brain-immune axis. Leveraging the MRC LMS core facilities, we combine in vivo models, multi-scale phenotyping, and omics to map the pathways governing organ crosstalk and translate them into new strategies for managing chronic conditions, with a current focus on diseases driven by immunometabolic dysfunction.

We are seeking a talented Postdoctoral Scientist with expertise in Physiology, Immunology, or Metabolism to join our team. As a key member, you will lead efforts to map the specific immune pathways through which these endocrine signals coordinate systemic inflammatory responses. Specifically, you will couple immunological techniques with metabolic modelling in transgenic mouse models to decipher how gut hormones and related peptides regulate peripheral immunity under immunometabolic stress.

At our newly established lab, we are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We value diversity and collaboration and focus on conducting cutting-edge basic and translational science. At the LMS, we also offer excellent mentoring and support to help you reach your career goals. As a post holder, you will have the opportunity to work with an extensive network of collaborators, attend scientific conferences, and publish the results of your work in refereed journals. You will be embedded within the research group headed by Dr. Chi Kin Wong, alongside a vibrant community of researchers specializing in metabolism, immunology, and chronic disease translation.

Key skills:

• Background in Physiology, Metabolism, or Immunology is required.
• Extensive experience in designing and executing complex, longitudinal in vivo mouse models (e.g. dietary or inflammatory studies using transgenic models) is required.
• Proficiency in cellular and molecular assays (e.g. cell/tissue culture, tissue-clearing/imaging, high-dimensional flow/spectral cytometry) to define signalling pathways is essential.
• The ability to adapt across disciplines and the drive to establish novel techniques is essential.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead in vivo research projects investigating how gut hormones and related peptides modulate inflammation via the gut-brain-immune axis.
• Collaborate closely with other members of the team on various projects.
• Prepare work for publication and grant submissions.
• Present at seminars and conferences as necessary.
• Co-supervise MSc and PhD students.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s/Unit’s laboratories and facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories.
• Comply with the Institute, College, Division, and Unit safety practices and attend courses on safety when appropriate.
• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division.

Person requirements:

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

• PhD (or equivalent) in Physiology, Immunology, Pharmacology, or a closely related Biomedical Science discipline.

Previous work experience required:

• Proven track record of leading independent research projects from hypothesis generation to data interpretation.
• Extensive experience designing and executing complex, longitudinal in vivo mouse models (e.g., transgenic, dietary, or inflammatory models).
• Demonstrated record of high-quality research through first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Knowledge and experience:

• A theoretical understanding of endocrine signalling, immunometabolism, and/or neural regulation of physiology.
• Competency in mouse handling, colony management, and standard dosing routes.
• Specific experience in mouse studies of inflammation or immunology (e.g. high-dimensional flow/spectral cytometry or microscopy for immune cells) or in vivo metabolism (e.g. dietary models, metabolic phenotyping techniques).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with a proven ability to prepare manuscripts for publication and present scientific data effectively at seminars.

Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities:

• Ability to conduct reproducible research.
• Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature.
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts.
• Creative approach to problem-solving.
• A keen interest in learning new skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people.
• Ability to motivate others to produce a high standard of work.
• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines.
• Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the internet.
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative.
• Flexible attitude towards work.
• Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times.
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role.