MRC Postdoctoral Scientist LMS 1969

View Vacancy — MRC Postdoctoral Scientist LMS 1969
Open Date
19/10/2022, 11:30
Close Date
13/11/2022, 23:55

Research Institute

MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences

Research Institute / Unit Information

The London 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.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

Band

MRC – 4

Location

London

Salary

£35,143 plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum

Allowances

Additional allowances comprise a £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.

Contract Type

Fixed Term

Job Type

Science

Full Time / Part Time

Full Time

Contract Length

2 years

Job Description

Overall purpose:

A 2-year postdoctoral position is available immediately to work on a collaborative project between the Metabolism and Cell Growth group (Susumu Hirabayashi; https://lms.mrc.ac.uk/research-group/metabolism-cell-growth/ ) and the Redox Metabolism group (Helena Cochemé; https://lms.mrc.ac.uk/research-group/redox-metabolism/ ) at the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS). Our groups share an open-plan laboratory/office space and a state-of-the-art fly facility in the newly built MRC LMS building located on the Hammersmith Hospital Campus of Imperial College London (https://lms.mrc.ac.uk/new-building/ ).

 

This project will use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to study the systemic interplay between host physiology and tumour growth. Current research interests in the Metabolism and Cell Growth group include exploration of the molecular link between obesity, tumour growth, and cachexia. The Redox Metabolism group investigates the effects of diet on metabolism and lifespan.

 

Job Summary

You will work in a focussed and organised manner to produce independent and original research within the groups, deliver the scientific aims of the project, and aid in the submission of publications to refereed journals. You will also help with supervising students and contribute to the smooth running of the research group.

Main Responsibilities:

• To plan and carry out research in accordance with agreed project aims.
• To take initiatives in the planning of research.
• To formulate and test hypotheses to progress the research project.
• To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection of data.
• To conduct data analysis ensuring its validity and reliability of data at all times.
• To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings.
• To run analyses and tests using specified and agreed techniques and models.
• To attend all project and related research group meetings.
• To interact and collaborate with researchers in related projects.
• Write-up and publication of work in peer-reviewed journals.
• Presentation of data at national and international meetings (where and when appropriate).
• To form good working relationships with other members of the group as well as internal and external collaborators.
• To assist others and co-supervise students when required.

This is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist position providing training and development supporting post-doctoral scientists in early or changed career paths helping establish them as successful research scientists in their chosen field.

Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent in a relevant biomedical discipline. A proven publication record, with at least one first author publication in a peer-reviewed international journal is also desirable. Prior experience with Drosophila cancer models, particularly in adults, would be desirable. Additional expertise in physiology and metabolism would also be an advantage. The successful candidate must also have the ability to develop and apply new concepts, a creative approach to problem solving, excellent communication skills, and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication.

Person Specification
 

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

Essential: PhD (or equivalent) in biology or a related discipline

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Experience using Drosophila as a model system, including Drosophila genetics
• Molecular biology techniques (e.g., Western blotting, PCR)
• Tissue imaging techniques (e.g., immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy).

Desirable:

• Familiarity with Drosphila tumour models, particularly in adult flies

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

Essential:

• A keen interest in cancer biology
• A keen interest in the effects of diet on fly physiology
• Excellent experimental/bench work skills, and record keeping
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication

Desirable:

A proven publication record, with at least one first author publication in a peer-reviewed international journal 

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities (will be assessed at the interview):

Essential:

• Willingness to share knowledge and skills with other members of the group on a daily basis
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Evidence of ability to conduct research independently, from the planning stages to execution and write-up
• The desire to learn and acquire new skills and to pro-actively seek novel and creative solutions to scientific problems
• Ability to constructively criticise one’s own and others results

Further Information
 

Additional information:

Applicants should submit their CV with a cover letter describing how the motivation for the post and how the candidate fits the person specifications, with name and contacts of two scientific references. Please do not send reference letters at this stage.

This role qualifies for endorsement by UKRI for a UK Global Talent Visa, for which the successful applicant is likely to be eligible to apply. Immigration costs for applicant (100% visa and 100% Health Surcharge) and immediate dependents (100% visa and 50% health surcharge when applying with main applicant) can be reclaimed from LMS after taking up the post (terms and conditions apply).

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.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
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.