Senior Laboratory Research Scientist

The Francis Crick Institute Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Francis Crick Institute is seeking a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist (Senior Protein Biochemist) to lead the protein production pipeline within the Enchev Lab. You will design constructs, express and purify proteins, and deliver cryo‑EM-ready samples while building scalable, automated workflows in a cutting-edge environment.

Reporting to the Senior Group Leader, you will collaborate with structural biologists, computational scientists and engineers to push the boundaries of protein

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, structural biology or a related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience in protein expression and purification, including proteins or protein complexes.
• Experience producing proteins for structural studies, ideally including cryo-EM.

Responsibilities

• Designing, cloning, expressing and purifying proteins and protein complexes.
• Developing scalable protein production and purification workflows.
• Delivering high-quality, cryo-EM-ready samples.
• Performing protein quality control, binding and activity assays.
• Designing workflows with automation, sample tracking and scalability in mind.
• Supporting the implementation of automated liquid-handling and purification technologies.

Job description

Senior Laboratory Research Scientist (Senior Protein Biochemist) – Enchev Lab

Contract term: This is a full-time, fixed term (1 year) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Reports to: Radoslav Enchev, Senior Group Leader

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 Enchev Lab

The Enchev Lab at the Francis Crick Institute combines experimental structural biology with AI-driven molecular modelling to understand protein-protein interactions and how proteins change shape and function.

The team is building a scalable data engine that brings together high-throughput protein production, state-of-the‑art cryo-EM and generative AI to generate high-quality datasets on protein interactions and dynamics. The ambition is to help establish new foundational models for protein dynamics, with applications across fundamental biology and drug discovery.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and hands‑on Senior Protein Biochemist to build and develop the protein production pipeline at the heart of this programme.

You’ll design constructs, express and purify proteins and complexes, develop scalable screening workflows and deliver cryo‑EM-ready samples, working closely with structural biologists, computational scientists and engineers.

A key focus will be scale and automation. You’ll develop workflows that can move from small‑scale screening to preparative production and help progressively transfer them onto automated liquid‑handling platforms.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply your protein biochemistry expertise at the intersection of structural biology, automation and AI-enabled drug discovery.

What you’ll be doing

You will be responsible for:

• Designing, cloning, expressing and purifying proteins and protein complexes.
• Developing scalable protein production and purification workflows.
• Delivering high-quality, cryo-EM-ready samples.
• Performing protein quality control, binding and activity assays.
• Designing workflows with automation, sample tracking and scalability in mind.
• Supporting the implementation of automated liquid-handling and purification technologies.
• Working collaboratively with structural biologists, computational scientists and engineers.
• Contributing to publications, presentations and patents.
• PhD in biochemistry, structural biology or a related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience in protein expression and purification, including proteins or protein complexes.
• Experience producing proteins for structural studies, ideally including cryo-EM.
• Experience with protein quality control and in vitro binding or activity assays.
• Experience developing workflows that scale from screening to preparative production.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and communication skills.
• A collaborative, innovative and self‑motivated approach.
• Experience with automated liquid handling such as Hamilton, Tecan or Beckman platforms.
• Experience with automated or high‑throughput protein purification.
• Experience miniaturising workflows into plate-based formats.
• Experience with sample tracking, barcoding, LIMS or Python scripting.
• Experience with protein interaction or biophysical assays such as SPR, MST, TR-FRET, NanoBiT or mass photometry.

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].

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%.
• 24/7 GP consultation services.
• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance:
• Childcare support allowance.
• Annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• 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.