Senior Laboratory Research Scientist (SLRS) - Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Location: The Francis Crick Institute, London

Salary: From £45,700 with benefits, dependent on skills and experience

About us…  

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. 

To learn more about the Crick, click here.

About the role…  

You will be a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) scientist supporting singe-particle and tomography projects in this role. As part of the Structural Biology Science Technology Platform (SB STP) you will deliver experimental or technical support to STP users as well as provide technical expertise/input for the development, refinement and troubleshooting of relevant and novel methodologies.  

Cryo-EM unit of SB STP currently houses two 300kV Krios TEMs equipped with energy filter and direct detector, 200kV Glacios TEM, 200kV Talos TEM and two low voltage TEMs used mostly for sample screening. These are complemented by specimen preparation devices: Vitrobots, Leica GP2, cryo-FIB-SEM Aquilos-2, manual plungers, vacuum evaporator, glow-dischargers and plasma machines. The microscope data servers are connected to Crick central computing which provides capacity for EM data storage and high-speed processing cores, including GPU cores, for data processing, analysis and presentation using a wide range of software. 

What you will be doing…  

As an SLRS at the Crick, you will be:  

• Support Crick users’ cryo-EM research activities. 
• Contribute to management and maintenance of electron microscopes. 
• Support experimental design including sample preparation and imaging of biological specimens.  
• Provide expertise and support in computational image analysis. 
• Provide training in both experimental and computational aspects of cryo-EM.
• Manage, collaborate and communicate effectively with STP users. 

About you…   

The essential criteria you will bring…  

• A higher degree in biological, physical, or engineering sciences; or equivalent relevant experience.   
• Research experience and expertise in electron microscopy.  
• Specialist knowledge of cryo-electron microscope operation and high-resolution data collection.   
• Experience in data analysis single particle images and/or tomography data.  
• Experience with field emission gun microscopes and direct electron detectors.  
• Proven track record in structural science.   
• Excellent communication skills, building highly effective working relationships with scientists and support staff.  

Please note that while not essential it is highly desirable that the postholder has experience in the use of cryo-FIB/SEM and/or cryo-CLEM.   

To see the complete job description, click here.  

To learn more about Structural Biology, click here.   

About Working at the Crick… 

Our values  

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. 
• We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. 
• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. 

At the Crick we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Please contact nicola.gyte@crick.ac.uk for assistance.

Read more about our EDI approach here.   

What will you receive?  

We value our team members and offer an extensive range of benefits. You can find out more here.

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