Description

View Vacancy -- MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2743

Open Date

14/11/2025, 08:00

Close Date

02/12/2025, 23:55

Research Institute

MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

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 at www.ukri.org

Band

MRC - 4

Location

London

Salary

£42,694 plus London allowances £5,560 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 which will be adjusted accordingly.

Contract Type

Fixed Term

Job Type

Science

Full Time / Part Time

Full Time

Contract Length

18 months

Job Description

Overall purpose

We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliable Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Chromatin and Development group and support 1-2 projects during maternity leave and paper revisions. These projects cover the exciting topics of metabolism and epigenetic regulation of early mouse development and chromatin biology. The ideal candidate will be a talented bench scientist who is collaborative and keen to lead and contribute to some important pieces of work within the lab. This position would suit someone looking for a short-term postdoc and the chance to work on 1-2 papers. Alternatively, depending on CV and success, the candidate will be supported to apply for external funding to continue a longer postdoc in the lab and continue the work.

The candidate will have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in gene regulation, chromatin biology, development or a related biological field. Prior experience of embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture and/or mouse embryology is highly desirable, as is experience with techniques in gene and chromatin regulation such as CRISPR, Cut&Tag, Cut&Run, ATAC-seq. One project focuses on determining the mechanistic link between metabolite compartmentalisation and ESC chromatin and cell fate. The second project involves regulation of chromatin reprogramming in early mouse embryos. Ideally, a candidate would have the experience and/or skills to contribute to both projects; however, only one is essential.

The position is available to be filled in January 2026.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):

Essential:

• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in gene regulation, chromatin biology, development or a related biological field

Desirable:

• A personal license for mouse work (PiL)

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Evidence that the candidate can plan and carry on a research project independently
• Extensive wet lab experience in techniques relating to at least one of: molecular biology, genomics, mouse embryology, chromatin profiling and metabolism

Desirable:

• Expertise in pluripotent cell (iPSC/ESC) tissue culture and manipulations
• Experience producing libraries for chromatin analysis (eg, ATAC-seq, Cut&Run, Cut&Tag)
• Evidence of actively contributing to or driving scientific collaborations

Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Excellent written communication skills in English
• A strong interest in genome regulation, chromatin, transposable elements and development
• Demonstration of creative approaches to problem solving

Desirable

• Strong publication record and exposure to scientific meetings

Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview):

Essential:

• Ability to conduct reproducible research
• Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts
• Creative approach to problem-solving
• Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people
• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative
• Flexible attitude towards work
• Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times
• Willingness to work out of normal working hours if the requirements of the project demand
• Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role

Further Information

Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a cover 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 accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2743.

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.