Research Scientist jobs in United Kingdom

Salary for this Role: From £36,535 (pro rata) with benefits subject to skills and experience.

Job Title: Laboratory Research Scientist – Part time

Reports to: Robert Goldstone

Reports to (Manager): Head of Genomics Science Technology Platform

Closing Date: 11 Jan 2026 23:59 GMT

Application closing date: 11 Jan 2026 at 23:59

Contract Term: Part‑time (2 days per week) 12‑month fixed‑term contract on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

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 neuro‑degenerative 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.

We are looking for an experienced part‑time Laboratory Research Scientist to join the Genomics Science Technology Platform at the Francis Crick Institute.

The Genomics Science Technology Platform delivers cutting‑edge Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) services, from sample intake and QC to library prep and sequencing, enabling world‑class biomedical discoveries.

This team supports over one hundred research groups and runs a wide spectrum of genomic technologies, including Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, 10x Genomics, and spatial genomics. They support bulk NGS (RNA‑seq, ATAC‑seq, whole genome/exome), single‑cell sequencing, and spatial profiling to unlock deep biological insights. In this role, you’ll help deliver these services, lead workflows, and collaborate to expand capacity and knowledge sharing.

In this part‑time role (2 days per week), you will enjoy a flexible schedule, ideal if you are returning to the workforce or balancing other commitments. You will bring a keen eye for detail, a strong background in molecular biology, and a solid understanding of genomics workflows. With this expertise, you will play a key role in ensuring operational excellence and keeping our cutting‑edge facility running seamlessly.

• Proactively provide reliable cross‑covering support across the spectrum of work in the Genomics STP. This includes sample submission, and independent execution or support of workflows, for example nucleic acid extractions, quality control, bulk and single‑cell library preparation, and spatial assays.
• Confidently operate automated liquid handling platforms for high‑throughput work.
• Monitor QC metrics and implement corrective actions where needed to maintain consistent high data quality.
• Work collaboratively and within our project management framework to ensure timely processing of samples and efficient turnaround for researchers.
• Help to implement new technologies and methods in collaboration with colleagues.
• Optimise and troubleshoot workflows, contributing to continuous improvement and increased efficiency across platforms.
• Provide clear, concise, and timely communication with team members, stakeholders, and scientific collaborators.
• Keep up to date with the latest developments in the field and proactively cascade relevant information via appropriate channels.
• Maintain high standards of data integrity and record‑keeping using electronic laboratory notebooks and LIMS.
• Ensure adherence to SOPs and contribute to their development and documentation.
• Participate in equipment and lab maintenance schedules ensuring operational readiness.
• Closely adhere to health and safety requirements.

You will have:

• A degree in molecular biology, genomics or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Considerable practical experience in a molecular biology laboratory setting, ideally a high‑throughput genomics environment.*
• Extensive hands‑on experience with nucleic acid extraction using automated platforms such as the QIAcube, Kingfisher or similar.*
• Extensive hands‑on experience with quality control methods for nucleic acids, and ideally full NGS library preparation.
• Knowledge of a range of NGS methods including RNA‑seq, ATAC‑seq, whole‑genome/exome sequencing, and targeted panels.*
• Capable of robustly following protocols and standard operating procedures and suggesting improvements.*

*Minimum Requirements

• 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 will 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: karen.au@crick.ac.uk.

Find out more about life at the Crick.

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.