(Senior) Laboratory Research Scientist

Location: The Francis Crick Institute, Midland Road, London

The Research Group

Our team is focused on determining how the cellular environment shapes pathways of protein folding. Project directions include studies of cotranslational protein folding and assembly in bacteria and human cells, the coordination between protein synthesis and molecular chaperones, and principles of nascent protein quality control at the ribosome.

Our group was established in 2020, and currently consists of 3 postdocs, 3 PhD students and 1 staff scientist. We are committed to maintaining a supportive and collaborative research environment, and we particularly value collegiality and open scientific discussion. 

The Role

Protein folding begins during translation at the ribosome and is assisted by diverse molecular chaperones that engage the nascent polypeptide before its synthesis is complete. Although cotranslational folding and chaperone action are often critical to efficient protein biogenesis, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. 

In their role as Laboratory Research Scientist, the successful applicant will support our team’s efforts to characterise mechanisms of protein maturation and quality control. They will either focus on a single project for the duration of the term, or support multiple projects in the group. The successful candidate will also act as the group’s lab manager. This entails managing reagent stocks and databases, maintaining lab organisation, and placing orders.

Our work is multi-disciplinary and we will consider applicants with diverse expertise, including protein biochemistry, RNA biology, cell biology, structural biology, or related fields. 

Key experience and competencies 

The successful applicant must have strong organisational skills, and be passionate about maintaining a healthy research environment. 

Essential

• BSc or PhD in Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology or related disciplines
• Experience in basic laboratory techniques
• Strong molecular biology skills
• Strong organisational skills and thorough record-keeping
• Strong collaboration skills 

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 (MRC), Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), 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 in 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 the rest of the UK; public engagement; and helping turn discoveries into treatments as quickly as possible to improve lives and strengthen the economy. 

• If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via our website.
• The closing date for applications is 01.03.2023
• All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

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