Senior / Laboratory Research Scientist (Ancient Genomics)

Location: The Francis Crick Institute, London

Short summary

We are seeking a skilled and organised biologist to join the team as a Laboratory Research Scientist (LRS), or Senior Laboratory Research Scientist (SLRS) depending on experience.

You will play a key role in managing the lab’s specialised ancient DNA clean room facility, supporting post-PCR workflows and skeletal sample processing while maintaining the highest standards of laboratory practice.

Alongside this, you will contribute to research exploring ancient human and pathogen DNA from a range of regions and historical periods, working at the intersection of molecular biology, archaeology and genomics.

This is a varied and hands-on role, ideal for someone with strong organisational skills, a high level of precision and an interest in applying molecular techniques to uncover the past.

Key Responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Carrying out ancient DNA retrieval and supporting end-to-end sample processing workflows.
• Executing automated ancient DNA workflows using Agilent Bravo Workstations.
• Performing manual molecular techniques, including initial digestion and DNA extraction from bone and tooth samples.
• Preparing genomic libraries and supporting targeted capture of ancient DNA.
• Handling, cataloguing and coordinating the shipment of skeletal samples in line with ethical guidelines.
• Supporting sequencing workflows, including pooling, fragment processing and liaison with the Crick’s Genomics Core Facility.
• Delivering targeted hybridisation enrichment for human, canine and pathogen DNA.

About you

You will have:

• BSc or MSc in Biology, Biochemistry or a related field.*
• Experience with molecular biology laboratory techniques and working in a research lab environment.*
• Strong organisational skills, with experience accurately recording experiments and handling samples.*
• Experience with automated liquid handling platforms (e.g. Agilent and/or Hamilton systems)*
• High level of attention to detail, with a focus on reproducibility and data integrity.*

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. Its work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.

An independent organisation, its founding partners are the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL, Imperial College London and King’s College London.

The Crick was formed in 2015, and in 2016 it moved into a new state-of-the-art building in central London which brings together 1500 scientists and support staff working collaboratively across disciplines, making it the biggest biomedical research facility under one building in Europe.

The Francis Crick Institute will be world-class with a strong national role. Its distinctive vision for excellence includes commitments to collaboration; developing emerging talent and exporting it to the rest of the UK; public engagement; and helping turn discoveries into treatments as quickly as possible to improve lives and strengthen the economy.

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