MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Spatial Lineage Tracing and Single-Cell Multiomics

MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Family friendly policies

Discounts on shopping/travel

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and Wellbeing Support

Cycle to work scheme

Settlement and Training Allowances

Job summary

The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences in London invites applicants for a fixed-term role focused on spatial single-cell genomics. You will lead the development of DNA methylation barcodes to map cell lineage in intact tissue and adapt capsule chemistry for high-resolution multiomic sequencing with spatial coordinates.

You should hold a PhD (or equivalent) in genomics or a related field and be prepared to work at the bench from day one, analysing your own sequencing data and collaborating across

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in genomics or related field.
• Ability to bench-scale experiments and analyze sequencing data.
• Aptitude for both experimental and computational work.

Responsibilities

• Lead work on resolving cell lineage in situ and reconstruct lineages.
• Develop DNA methylation barcodes for lineage reconstruction in tissues.
• Adapt semi-permeable capsule chemistry for single-cell multiomic sequencing with spatial coords.

Skills

Genomics

Molecular biology

Computational biology

Education

PhD or equivalent experience

Tools

DNA methylation analysis

Job description

Fixed term (3 years)

London, UK

About us

The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a biomedical research institute where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. LMS is one of three directly funded MRC research institutes and enjoys close links with our partners at Imperial College London and at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

About the role

Every cell carries a record of its history: somatic mutations and DNA methylation changes accumulate as cells divide, leaving an endogenous barcode in each genome. Single-cell sequencing can decode this information, but tissue dissociation destroys the spatial context needed to interpret it.

The Tissue Biology Group is a newly established lab at the MRC LMS, building spatial single-cell genomics technologies and screening platforms to reveal, cell by cell, how exposures remodel tissues and drive disease.

You will lead our work on resolving cell lineage in situ, developing DNA methylation barcodes for lineage reconstruction in intact tissue and adapting semi-permeable capsule chemistry for single-cell multiomic sequencing with spatial coordinates.

About You

You will need a PhD (or equivalent experience) in genomics, molecular biology, computational biology, bioengineering, or a related field. The first datasets will be the ones you generate, so you should be ready to work at the bench from day one and to analyse your own sequencing data. You should be strong in either experimental genomics or computational analysis, with clear evidence of aptitude and appetite for the other. Informal enquiries are welcome: [e-mail]

What we offer

• defined benefit pension scheme
• 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 Assistance Programme
• Health and Wellbeing Support
• a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
• additional allowances comprise a £1,000 Settlement Allowance and a Training Allowance rising from £850 to £1,800 over three years

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. We will also reimburse the cost of visa application (terms and conditions apply).

Closing date: 25th October 2026

Final appointment will be subject to pre-employment screening

Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff.

£42,694 per annum, plus London allowances £5,560 per annum