Laboratory Research Scientist

Francis Crick Institute; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biomedical research institute in the UK is seeking a Laboratory Research Scientist to support projects on bacterial pathogens. This role offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of biology and quantitative science, with a focus on high-throughput molecular microbiology and chemical screening. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and strong communication skills, along with hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques. Competitive benefits are available including generous leave and health support.

Benefits

24/7 GP consultation services

Occupational health services

Discounted gym memberships

Qualifications

• BSc or MSc in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Experience in microbial culture and molecular biology techniques.
• Attention to detail and record-keeping ability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments and analyze results.
• Maintain a well-organised laboratory.
• Communicate effectively with team members.

Skills

Hands-on experience in molecular biology

Exceptional oral and written communication skills

Outstanding organisational abilities

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in molecular biology

Tools

PCR

Cloning

Next-generation sequencing

Job description

Laboratory Research Scientist

Reporting to: Eachan Johnson, Group Leader

Contract term: This is a full-time, fixed term (3 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

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.

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

We are recruiting a Laboratory Research Scientist with training in microbiology, molecular biology, or chemical biology to support a large-scale project investigating how small molecules affect the survival of the Gram-negative pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae.

This project forms part of an international, collaborative programme committed to accelerating the discovery of new treatments for infections by bacteria.

The Systems Chemical Biology of Infection and Resistance Lab studies how pathogenic bacteria survive and infect, using chemical biology and genetic tools to define new gene targets and their chemical inhibitors. Ultimately, we aim to enable antimicrobial therapies which exploit key weaknesses in the ability of pathogenic bacteria to evolve resistance to antibiotics.

Working at the interface of genetics, chemical biology, and machine learning, we discover and use small molecules to precisely disrupt the cellular machinery of pathogenic bacteria and study consequent effects on survival, infection, and evolution. We have developed methods that enable us to study multiple bacterial pathogens in parallel, but we focus primarily on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

This is a great opportunity if you are an early-career scientist looking to gain experience in high-throughput molecular microbiology, chemical screening, and data analysis, and to work at the interface of biology and quantitative science in a collaborative environment.

You will be joining a collaborative environment that supports mentoring skill-sharing and growth and you will also have the opportunity to work and collaborate with various other labs at the Crick.

What you will be doing

Some of your key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting experiments and recording, analysing, and presenting results accurately.
• Contributing to method development and troubleshooting.
• Maintaining a well‑organised laboratory environment.
• Communicating effectively with other team members and external collaborators.
• Participating in internal and external meetings.
• Engaging in professional and technical development.

About you

You will have:

• Minimum criteria*:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, biological engineering, or related field*.
• Hands‑on experience in molecular biology (e.g., PCR, cloning, DNA extraction) and microbial culture*.
• Enthusiasm to learn advanced methods such high-throughput screening, and next-generation sequencing
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Outstanding organisational abilities, record‑keeping ability, and attention to detail*

In your cover letter, please describe how your experience and skills align with these competencies. Additionally, refer to one scientific paper (not from our group or your previous labs) that inspires you, explaining in 2-3 sentences which figure you found compelling and how it influenced your scientific interests.

About Working at the Crick

Our values

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!

• 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 Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, and personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.

We are a Disability Confident, committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and will make reasonable adjustments if you need them – just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email [e-mail]

Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being:
• 24/7 GP consultation services.
• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance:
• Back-up care for dependents.
• Childcare support allowance.
• Annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Perks:
• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.