View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2662
Open Date
11/07/2025, 10:00
Close Date
12/08/2025, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
Research Institute / Unit Information
The LMS is a world-class research laboratory where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. Funded by the MRC as part of UK Research and Innovation , the LMS has a collaborative working culture and new state-of-the-art building based in the heart of West London in the Hammersmith Hospital Campus (W12).
The LMS aims to deliver transdisciplinary team science, in synergistic interaction with Imperial College and the wider national research environment. Part of achieving this, is to recruit new talent and support postdoctoral scientists to become world leaders in their area of science.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found atwww.ukri.org
Band
MRC - 4
Location
London
Salary
£41,344 plus London allowances £5,385 per annum
Allowances
*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
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Job Type
Science
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time
Contract Length
2 years (with a possibility of extension)
Job Description
Overall purpose:
Research Programme
TheReprogramming and Chromatin group led by Prof Petra Hajkovainvestigates molecular processes that underlie global erasure of epigenetic information.As in vitro cellular reprogramming systems are notoriously inefficient and heterogeneous in outcome, we focus on the epigenetic reprogramming events that occur naturally in vivo during mouse development (in the mouse zygote and in the developing mouse germ cells) (http://www.lms.mrc.ac.uk/Research/Groups/EDC/ReprogrammingChromatin/). We have a particular interest in deciphering themechanisms underlying the waves of global DNA demethylation(Amouroux et al, 2016, Hill et al, Nature 2018; Huang et al, Nature 2021) and thechanges in chromatin structurethat accompanies this process.
Purpose of Post
The focus of this project is to investigate molecular mechanisms underpinning zygotic and germline DNA demethylation, the mechanistic links to DNA repair and the functional relationship to the progression through the germline cycle.
The ideal candidate will be expected to carry out research within the focus area of the Reprogramming and Chromatin Group; undertake project management and be involved in the supervision of PhD students in the laboratory. In addition, he/she will be expected to submit publications to refereed journals and to attract external research funding.
Main duties / key responsibilities:
- To take initiatives in the planning of research
- To direct the work of small research teams
- To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection and analysis of data
- To conduct data analysis
- To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
- To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
- To write reports for submission to research sponsors
- To present findings to colleagues and at conferences
- To submit publications to refereed journals
- To provide guidance to staff and students
- To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
- To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider community
- To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the Institute
- To provide guidance to PhD Students
- Contribute to bids for research grants
- To conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision
- To maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work
- To actively participate in the research programme of the Group and Unit
- To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international meetings
- To participate in Group/Unit research meetings and internal seminars
- Willingness to work out of normal working hours (including weekends) if the requirements of the project demand
- To collaborate with other allied scientists within Institute and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
- To contribute to the smooth running of the Group's/Unit's laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories
- To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required
- To comply with the Institute safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate
- Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group
Working relationships:
The post-holder will report directly to the head of the group, Professor Petra Hajkova.
Additional information:
This post is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist to support post-doctoral training and help establish successful research scientists in their chosen field. During the fellowship tenure we are committed to provide mentorship for career development and improvement of communication skills.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from the application):
Essential:
- PhD degree (or equivalent experience) in a biological or related discipline
Desirable:
- UK Home Office personal licence (PIL) for work with rodents
Previous work experience required (will be assessed from the application and at the interview):
Essential:
- Proven experience in the field of epigenetics and chromatin
- Experience with isolation, manipulation and culture of mouse oocytes and early mouse preimplantation embryos
- Extensive experience with cell lines and mouse primary cell culture techniques
- Experience with culture of mouse pluripotent stem cells
- Knowledge of relevant biochemical and molecular biology research methods and statistical procedures
- Good written communication skills in English
Desirable:
- Experience with derivation of mouse embryonic stem cells
- Experience with NGS approaches to investigate epigenome
Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview):
Essential:
- Evidence of organisational ability
- Good verbal communication skills in English and the ability to work effectively with researchers ranging from postgraduate students to professorial level
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- IT literate and familiar with basic methods for sequence and image analysis
Desirable:
- A highly committed individual with proactive and flexible attitude to work
- The ability and willingness to learn new concepts and technologies rapidly
- The ability to work under pressure in the competitive field
Further Information
Pleaseupload your CV, the names and contact details of two scientific references along with a covering letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please quote reference number LMS 2662.
This role qualifies for endorsement by UKRI for a UK Global Talent Visa, for which the successful applicant is likely to be eligible to apply. Immigration costs for the applicant (100% visa and 100% Health Surcharge) and immediate dependents (100% visa and 50% health surcharge when applying with the main applicant) can be reclaimed from LMS after taking up the post (terms and conditions apply).
Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
