(Senior) Laboratory Research Scientist

Francis Crick Institute; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Leave

Pension scheme

Well-being benefits

Job summary

The Francis Crick Institute is seeking a collaborative Scientist to support a lab’s spatial transcriptomics pipeline using a custom in situ sequencing platform. The role links in vivo function, gene expression, and neuronal connectivity in cortical neurons.

Appointments can be made at LRS or SLRS levels, with in-house training provided. Applicants from different career stages are welcome; the role includes developing protocols, sequencing data collection, and training users within Crick labs.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Bioengineering, or related field*
• Hands-on experience with RNA/DNA handling and tissue processing (e.g., FISH, RNAscope)
• Experience operating epifluorescence or confocal microscopes
• Basic proficiency in Python, R, or MATLAB for QC and data analysis
• Ability to independently optimize complex experimental protocols and maintain records

Responsibilities

• Preparing tissue for in situ sequencing
• Developing and optimising in situ sequencing protocols
• Ordering and maintaining inventories of in situ sequencing reagents
• Developing custom gene panels for profiling cell identity and state in situ
• Collecting in situ sequencing data using a custom-built sequencing setup
• Quality control and preliminary analysis of in situ sequencing data
• Maintaining and developing the sequencing setup
• Training other users in the lab and other labs in collection and analysis of in situ sequencing data

Job description

Reporting to: Petr Znamenskiy, Group Leader

Contract term: This is a fixed term (36 months) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Salary: From £37,735 with benefits, subject to skills and experience for LRS

From £47,080 with benefits, subject to skills and experience for SLRS

Application closing date: 6th of September 2026 at 23.59pm

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.

The Research Group

The Znamenskiy lab studies the relationship between in vivo function, synaptic organization, and molecular identity of cortical neurons. Using the primary visual cortex as a model, we aim to understand how connections between neuronal cell types are organized and how this organization enables the computations they perform. To achieve this, we combine systems and molecular neuroscience approaches and develop new tools to relate gene expression and connectivity to neuronal activity. Our current research focuses on how visual cortical circuits enable animals to interpret the three-dimensional structure of visual scenes.

Details of research projects currently being undertaken can be seen at www.znamlab.org.

About the role

We are looking for a collaborative, individual to support the lab's spatial transcriptomics pipeline using a custom-built in situ sequencing platform, helping to link in vivo function, gene expression and connectivity of cortical neurons.

Individual cortical neurons receive thousands of synaptic inputs and send long-range projections that often broadcast output to multiple target structures. How these connectivity patterns relate to the molecular makeup of individual cells remains poorly understood. To address this question, we combine high-throughput reconstruction of neuronal connectivity using molecular barcodes with single-neuron gene expression analysis through in situ sequencing.

Using custom-built in situ sequencing platforms, we measure the expression of hundreds of genes in intact tissue sections alongside viral barcodes, which are used to reconstruct synaptic connections and map projection patterns of individual neurons.

We welcome applications from candidates at different stages of their scientific career so this would be an excellent opportunity for recent graduates. Appointment can be made at either Laboratory Research Scientist or Senior Laboratory Research Scientist level, commensurate with experience and achievements. All training will be provided in house.

What you will be doing

You will be:

• Preparing tissue for in situ sequencing
• Developing and optimising in situ sequencing protocols
• Ordering and maintain inventories of in situ sequencing reagents
• Developing custom gene panels for profiling cell identity and cell state in situ
• Collecting in situ sequencing data using a custom-built sequencing setup
• Conducting quality control and preliminary analysis on in situ sequencing data
• Maintaining and developing the sequencing setup
• Training other users in this lab and other labs in the collection and analysis of in situ sequencing data

About you

You will have:

• A degree or equivalent experience (BSc / MSc for LRS, PhD for SLRS) in Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Bioengineering, or a closely related field*
• Hands‑on experience with RNA/DNA handling and / or tissue processing (e.g., fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), RNAscope)*
• Experience operating and troubleshooting epifluorescence or confocal microscopes*
• Basic proficiency in a programming language (Python, R, or MATLAB) to conduct quality control, process images, and handle preliminary data analysis*
• Demonstrated ability to independently optimize complex experimental protocols, maintain records, and manage inventories
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to train others and collaborate across projects
• Experience with in situ sequencing, spatial transcriptomics (e.g., MERFISH, seqFISH, Xenium), or single-cell RNA‑seq pipelines (desirable)

Minimum criteria*

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 and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and sowe'll 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]

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.