Senior Laboratory Research Scientist – Flow Cytometry

Francis Crick Institute Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sponsorship to work in the UK

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing services

On-site restaurant & social spaces

Gym discounts

Job summary

The Francis Crick Institute is seeking a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist to join the Flow Cytometry Facility STP. You will provide expert scientific and technical advice to researchers, assist with experimental design, and oversee multicolour and spectral flow cytometry, cell sorting, and data analysis using FACSDiva and FlowJo while operating and maintaining a wide range of instruments.

You will train and mentor researchers, help implement new technologies and workflows, ensure SOPs and

Qualifications

• PhD with significant practical experience in flow cytometry or a BSc(Hons) with substantial experience in a core facility.
• Hands-on experience operating high-speed cell sorters and multi-laser analysers.
• Experience supporting flow cytometry experimental design, multicolour panel design and troubleshooting.
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry.
• Proficiency with flow cytometry acquisition and analysis software such as FACSDiva and FlowJo.
• Experience developing SOPs and risk assessments and training researchers.
• Excellent communication, organisational and collaborative working skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert scientific and technical advice to researchers using flow cytometry.
• Support experimental design, multicolour and spectral panel design, assay optimisation and troubleshooting.
• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot high-speed cell sorters and multi-laser analysers.
• Support the introduction, validation and optimisation of new technologies and workflows.
• Analyse and interpret flow cytometry data using specialist software and computational tools.
• Train and mentor researchers and junior team members in flow cytometry best practice.
• Support laboratory operations, documentation, equipment management and continuous improvement across the facility.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Spectral FC

Cell sorting

Data analysis software

Mentoring

Education

PhD in a relevant field

BSc (Hons) with substantial experience

Tools

FACSDiva

FlowJo

Job description

Salary

From £47,080, plus benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title

Senior Laboratory Research Scientist – Flow Cytometry

Reports to

Andy Riddell, Head of Flow Cytometry

Closing Date

16/Sept/2026 23.59 GMT

Contract Term

Full-time, permanent 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 Flow Cytometry Facility STP

The Flow Cytometry Science Technology Platform at the Francis Crick Institute provides researchers with access to cutting‑edge cell analysis and sorting technologies, alongside expert scientific advice and technical support. Supporting a diverse range of biomedical research, our team combines advanced instrumentation with specialist expertise to help researchers design, optimise and deliver high‑quality flow cytometry experiments.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Flow Cytometry Specialist to join our team and help deliver an outstanding service to researchers across the Crick. You will provide expert advice on experimental design, multicolour and spectral flow cytometry, cell sorting and data analysis, while operating and maintaining a wide range of advanced instrumentation. A key part of the role will also be hands‑on troubleshooting – from optimising the latest technologies to maintaining complex legacy instruments that require creative technical problem‑solving. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced flow cytometry professional who enjoys solving technical challenges, supporting researchers and helping develop the capabilities of a world‑class scientific facility.

What you’ll be doing

• Providing expert scientific and technical advice to researchers using flow cytometry.
• Supporting experimental design, multicolour and spectral panel design, assay optimisation and troubleshooting.
• Operating, maintaining and troubleshooting high‑speed cell sorters and multi‑laser analysers.
• Supporting the introduction, validation and optimisation of new technologies and workflows.
• Analysing and interpreting flow cytometry data using specialist software and computational tools.
• Training and mentoring researchers and junior team members in flow cytometry best practice.
• Supporting laboratory operations, documentation, equipment management and continuous improvement across the facility.

About you

• Essential: A PhD with at significant practical experience in flow cytometry, or a BSc (Hons) with substantial relevant experience gained within a core facility, research or company setting.
• Extensive hands‑on experience operating high‑speed cell sorters and multi‑laser analysers.
• Experience supporting flow cytometry experimental design, multicolour panel design and troubleshooting.
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry.
• Strong technical ability and enthusiasm for maintaining and troubleshooting complex flow cytometry instrumentation.
• Proficiency with flow cytometry acquisition and analysis software such as FACSDiva and FlowJo.
• Experience developing SOPs and risk assessments and training or mentoring researchers.
• Excellent communication, organisational and collaborative working skills.
• Desirable: Experience with instrument engineering and advanced troubleshooting, including laser alignment, optical components or working with service engineers.
• Experience introducing and implementing new flow cytometry technologies or instrumentation within a core facility.

About Working at the Crick

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!

We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. 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.

We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we’ll make reasonable adjustments if you need them – just let us know when you apply.

What will you receive?

• 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.
• Career support: Since September 2017 Crick has been a signatory to the Technician Commitment, an initiative across the research sector to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.

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.

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology underlying human health. At the Crick, scientists and staff collaborate to stretch the very limits of what we know about how life works. Our work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Francis Crick Institute is a charity, founded by the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London.