Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist – [C Swanton] Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability L[...]

The Francis Crick Institute; London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biomedical research institute in London is seeking a Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist for its Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory. This role involves analyzing next-generation sequencing data to understand lung tumor evolution. The successful candidate will have a PhD and experience in bioinformatics. The position offers competitive salary and extensive benefits including generous leave and health support.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Health and well-being support

Discounted gym memberships

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Experience with cancer genomics and NGS.
• Fluent in R or Python.

Responsibilities

• Decipher evolutionary mechanisms during lung cancer initiation.
• Employ novel informatics techniques for analysis.
• Disseminate scientific results through publications.

Skills

Bioinformatics

R or Python

Cancer biology knowledge

HPC environments

Collaboration with clinicians

Education

PhD

Tools

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)

Job description

Salary for this Role:

From £45,500 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

Job Title:

Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist – [C Swanton] Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory

Reports to:

Charles Swanton [C]

Closing Date:

11/Aug/2025 23.59 GMT

Job Description:

Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist – [C Swanton] Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory

Reporting to: Charles Swanton, Principal Investigator, Deputy Clinical Director

Contact term: This is a full-time 2 year 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

Our research direction investigates the role of cell lineage upon lung cancer initiation, both in homeostasis and in the context of challenge with non-mutagenic carcinogens.

Our research is committed to advancing our understanding the biology of lung tumour evolution based around analysis of next generation sequence (NGS) data and the tumour microenvironment from the TRACERx longitudinal lung cancer program. Leveraging genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic sequencing as well as spatial immunophenotyping data from patient samples, our aim is to trace the intricate evolutionary trajectories of lung tumours across space and time. This work will unveil the key drivers of cancer progression, immune resistance mechanisms, and potential vulnerabilities within the tumour landscape.

As a Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist in the Swanton lab, your main responsibilities will be to work with the informatics team on TRACERx project, whilst also contributing to other projects throughout the lab. If you have experience in Bioinformatics, are fluent in R or Python as well as experience in evolutionary or cancer biology, we would love to hear from you.

Please see the full job description here.

See more about the lab here.

What you will be doing

As a Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist at the Crick, some of your main responsibilities will be:

• To decipher evolutionary mechanisms during lung cancer initiation and progression.
• To employ novel informatics techniques based on evolutionary principles to the analysis of tumour subclonal evolution.
• To understand cancer biology and the relevant literature sufficiently to take own ideas forward as lead author on new projects.
• To work within the informatics team of the TRACERx and TRACERx EVO programs.
• To record all experiments and code in an accurate timely, clearly presented and reproducable manner, and use this to prepare data summaries and reports as and when required.
• To attend, and report research results at regular group and external meetings.
• To contribute to the dissemination of scientific results by means of writing papers for publication, and presenting orally and in poster form at national and international meetings.

About you

You will have:

• PhD
• Previous experience with cancer genomics NGS data
• Fluent in R or Python
• Evidence of significant contribution to high impact publications
• Experience with HPC environments
• Experience of collaboration with clinicians and wet lab scientists or work within a multi-disciplinary environment

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 arebold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently.

• We areopen. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.

• We arecollegial. 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, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. Weare aDisability Confident: Committedemployer andwant to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and sowe'llmake reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you needassistancewith 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:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK

• 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.