Senior Laboratory Research Scientist

Senior Laboratory Research Scientist

Reporting to: Aleksey Chudnovskiy, Group Leader

Contract term: This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

The Role

The role of a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist in the Crick is diverse and rewarding. The role covers a wide range of different functions and allows for continuity of lab operations. The role offers support to one or more scientific projects or programmes. Typical activities include:

• Collaborating with other lab members on/ assisting other lab members with research projects.
• Providing experimental or technical support to other lab members.
• Providing technical expertise input for the development, refinement and troubleshooting of relevant novel methodologies.
• Undertaking own research project, designing, and executing experiments with strategic direction from the group leader.
• Managing long-term investigations and collaborations with other researchers.
• Participating in academic activities, including group meetings and journal clubs, seminars, and scientific meetings.
• Writing up findings for publication and completing revisions.
• Organisation and management of the laboratory, including maintaining laboratory databases, ordering of laboratory supplies, monitoring budgets, and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Training and supervising other lab members in key techniques and protocols, lab operations, and equipment use.
• Liaising with Science Operations and attending key quadrant meetings.
• Writing risk assessments and SOPs and providing safety guidance to lab members.

The Research Group

The laboratory of Tumour-Immune Communication has been established in early 2024. We study bidirectional interactions between cancer cells and the host immune system using synthetic and molecular biology, genetics, and immunology. This research delineates how interaction dynamics between tumour cells and immune cells influence each other, contributing to our understanding of tumour progression and antitumour immune response.

The Chudnovskiy laboratory’s research in tumour immunology is directed at three pivotal questions. The first examines how tumour cells induce immune cell exhaustion, leading to a weakened response against the tumour. The second question investigates the evolution of tumour cells to evade the immune system’s cytotoxic cells. The third investigates how tumours manipulate antigen presentation to shift T cell responses from being immune-reactive to tolerant of tumour antigens.

Details of research projects currently being undertaken can be seen at:

Research techniques used in the laboratory include: We utilize immunological, genetic, genomic, molecular and synthetic biology techniques to study tumour immunology.

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Developing new techniques and protocols that are critical to the laboratory.
• Assisting the group leader with daily tasks.
• Engaging in and advancing a variety of scientific projects.
• Fostering collaboration with different laboratories within the Crick.
• Instructing both current and new lab members in general protocols and techniques that are commonly used in the lab.
• Drafting, executing, and revising Safety Assessments.
• Creating, implementing, and revising mouse protocols.
• Managing the care of complex genetically modified mouse colonies.
• Overseeing lab management.
• Sharing experimental results and discoveries both within and beyond the Crick.
• Drafting manuscripts for publication.
• Filling in for the Group Leader when they are absent.

Experience and Competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:

Bold; Open; Collegial

Essential

• PhD in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, or Cellular Biology
• Extensive post-PhD experience in Immunology, Tumour Biology, Molecular Biology, or Cellular Biology
• Experience in working with mouse tumour models, cell cultures, and flow cytometry
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proven track record of writing scientific papers, as demonstrated by publications or manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in presenting data at scientific conferences
• Capable of independently developing scientific research projects
• Competence in supervising other lab members

Desirable

• Proficiency in single-cell RNA sequencing using both droplet-based and plate-based methods.
• Genetic screening using CRISPRs
• Proficiency in analysing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data using Python and/or R.

About Us

At the Crick, we conduct research at the forefront of biomedical research. We combine rigour with an open and collaborative culture, and are outward-looking, reflecting our status as a partnership of six organisations aiming to pool knowledge, ideas and resources.

We have a wide research portfolio with no divisions or departments, bringing biomedical researchers together with clinicians, physical scientists and applied scientists from our pharmaceutical partners.

We aim to attract the most talented researchers and support them to tackle innovative research questions. Our science technology platforms provide our researchers with access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise.

We provide an excellent learning environment with dedicated education programmes in public engagement with science, education and personal development, and a postdoc training programme that prepares scientists for leadership roles in science.

• If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via our website .
• All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
• If you require a visa to work in the UK we will help support your application should you be successful

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website:

For more information on our great pay and benefits you can read more here:

Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website: