View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2663
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:
Understanding how the right cell types form in the right position and proportion during embryonic development represents one of the most important open questions in developmental biology. The Development & Transcriptional Control Group is tackling this challenge by investigating how cell identity is established and how it shapes the mammalian body. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates mouse developmental genetics, stem cell-based models of development, and genome engineering. These systems support quantitative and mechanistic studies, allowing us to address how cis-regulatory elements function and their effect on the body plan (Amblard et al., Dev Cell , 2025).
We're seeking a highly motivatedpostdoctoral scientist to develop new tools and methodologies to uncover the gene regulatory principles of mammalian development. The role offers opportunities to pursue independent research ideas within the lab's core focus, with strong support for career development and scientific training.
Main duties / key responsibilities:
- Design and conduct high-quality, independent research aligned with project aims
- Critically analyse, interpret, and present experimental data with rigor and reproducibility
- Stay up to date with relevant literature and integrate new findings and techniques into your research
- Develop and refine experimental methods and protocols as needed
- Participate fully in lab meetings, presenting research progress and contributing to discussions
- Provide support and mentorship to students and junior researchers as required
- Take part in journal clubs and internal seminar programmes
- Present findings at national and international conferences (where appropriate)
- Contribute to day-to-day lab operations and shared responsibilities
- Collaborate effectively within the group and with external collaborators
Additional information:
Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant discipline, with a strong commitment to scientific excellence and teamwork.
This is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist position 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. We also offer a highly attractive benefits package including competitive salary and salary pension scheme.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from the application):
Essential:
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biology field (e.g., molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, developmental biology, genetics)
Previous work experience required (will be assessed from the application and at the interview):
Essential:
- Significant practical expertise in molecular biology techniques such as PCR, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9
- Experience in design and/or generation and validation of new mammalian cell lines (eg. knockouts, reporters, epitope-tagging etc)
- Significant practical expertise in mammalian cell culture techniques
Desirable:
- Experience working with embryonic stem cells as 2D/3D in vitro models of development, or mouse embryos or similar animal model organisms
- Experience in modifying embryonic stem cells using genome engineering approaches
- Experience in generating and/or analysing and integrating different high throughput sequencing data to study cell identity or gene regulation, such as ChIP-seq, Cut&Run, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq
Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from the application and at the interview):
Essential:
- Strong conceptual background and interest in at least one of the following: gene regulation in development, embryonic development, or stem cell models of development
- Excellent written communication skills in English
Desirable:
- At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed international journal or available as a preprint
- Experience presenting scientific data at national or international scientific conferences
Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities(will be assessed at interview):
Essential:
- Enthusiastic and collaborative team player
- Ability to conduct research independently, including the design, execution, and analysis of experiments
- Eagerness to learn and acquire new skills, troubleshoot experiments, and apply creative approaches to scientific questions
- Willingness to work flexible hours as needed by the project, and to travel for conferences or research collaborations
- Excellent verbal communication skills in English
Further Information
Applicants must submit the following to be considered:
A CV A brief cover letter addressing:
- Motivation for joining the team
- How the applicant meets the selection criteria
- Names and contact details of two scientific referees
Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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.
