Postdoctoral Training Scientist

UK Research and Innovation; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Holiday entitlement

Salary sacrifice cycle to work

Job summary

UKRI – UK Research and Innovation (LMS, LMS 2880) seeks a postdoctoral research scientist to study gene regulation and develop a high‑throughput CRISPR screening platform in the Genomic Variation and Disease Group at the LMS campus in London. The role involves cell biology, genome editing, and single‑cell technologies to model SVs and their effects on molecular and cellular processes.

You will work with collaborators, publish findings, attend conferences, and contribute to training and career

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Genetics or closely related discipline.
• Essential background in gene regulation/developmental genetics; experience with mouse ES cell culture and molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and high‑throughput CRISPR screens; excellent written English for publication.

Responsibilities

• Design experiments, analyze data, visualize results and interpret findings.
• Prepare work for publication and grant submissions.
• Present at seminars and conferences as needed.
• Support smooth lab operations and collaborate with scientists, clinicians, technicians and students.

Skills

Gene regulation

Mouse ES cell culture

CRISPR/Cas9 editing

High‑throughput CRISPR screens

Single‑cell technologies

Immunofluorescence imaging

ChIP‑seq / ATAC‑seq

Education

PhD in Molecular Genetics

Tools

Imaging systems

Job description

MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Gene Regulation and High-Throughput CRISPR screens Genomic Variation and Disease Group (LMS 2880)

Salary: £42,694 plus London allowance £5,560 per annum* Additional allowances comprises at £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, and £1,800 in the third year.

3 years fixed term | Full-time | Location: Hammersmith London Closing Date: 4 October 2026

Overall purpose:

The Genomic Variation and Disease Group works at the intersection of medical genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to explore the mechanisms underlying human diseases. The group uses CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and synthetic genomics for mouse or human genome rewriting to model disease-causing chromosomal structural variants (SVs) and study their functional consequences. Our challenge is understanding how this type of genomic variation affects molecular and cellular processes to influence organismal phenotypes. We are looking for a talented postdoctoral scientist with a background in molecular biology to join our team. As a key member, you will be part of our collaborative effort to study the molecular mechanisms underlying gene regulation and develop a scalable platform for engineering patient‑specific structural variants. Your work will involve in vitro (cellular differentiation) and/or in vivo mouse models, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and high‑throughput CRISPR screens, and single‑cell technologies to investigate the molecular consequences of SVs impacting the noncoding genome. At our newly established lab, we are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We value diversity and collaboration and focus on conducting cutting‑edge basic and translational science. We provide extensive on‑the‑job training as needed for the projects. At the LMS, we also offer excellent mentoring and support to help you reach your career goals. As a post holder, you will have the opportunity to work with an extensive network of collaborators, attend scientific conferences, and publish the results of your work in leading journals.

Key skills:

• Background in the field of gene regulation and/or developmental genetics
• Experience in mouse ES cell culture and common techniques in molecular biology
• Experience in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and high‑throughput CRISPR screens
• Experience in the preparation of targeted NGS libraries is an advantage
• Experience in in vitro neuronal differentiation is an advantage
• Experience in immunofluorescence and microscopy imaging is an advantage
• Experience in single‑cell technologies is an advantage
• Experience in high‑throughput chromosome conformation capture (cHi‑C) is an advantage
• Experience in ATAC‑seq and Cut&Tag/ChIP‑seq is an advantage

Main Responsibilities:

• Work with group members and collaborators as well as independently on experimental design, data analysis, visualization, and interpretation
• To prepare work for publication and grant submissions
• To present at seminars and conferences as necessary
• To contribute to the smooth running of the Group's/Unit's laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories
• To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required

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

• PhD (or equivalent) in Molecular Genetics or a closely related discipline

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

Essential:

• Background in the field of gene regulation and/or developmental genetics
• Experience in mouse ES cell culture and common techniques in molecular biology
• Experience in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and high‑throughput CRISPR screens
• Excellent written communication skills in English and the ability to write clearly for publication

Desirable:

• Experience in the preparation of targeted NGS libraries
• Experience in in vitro neuronal differentiation
• Experience in immunofluorescence and microscopy imaging
• Experience in single‑cell technologies
• Experience in high‑throughput chromosome conformation capture (cHi‑C)
• Experience in ATAC‑seq and Cut&Tag/ChIP‑seq is an advantage

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

• 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
• A keen interest in learning new skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people
• Ability to motivate others to produce a high standard of work
• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
• Advanced computer skills, including word‑processing, spreadsheets and the internet
• 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 undertake any necessary training for the role

How we support EDI in the workforce:

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer:

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation:

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world‑leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world‑class research, skills and business‑led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce:

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC:

The Laboratory Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a Medical Research Council funded research institute at the Hammersmith Hospital campus (London W12) of Imperial College London, with around 400 biomedical researchers undertaking multidisciplinary and internationally‑competitive science. The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions. The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council. Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future. Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

Pre-employment checks:

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.