Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist

Job title:

Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist

Company

Francis Crick Institute

Job description

Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist – Stem Cells and Neuromuscular Regeneration LaboratoryReporting to: Prof. Francesco Saverio Tedesco, Senior Group LeaderContract term: This is a full-time, 2 year fixed term position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.The Research Group
The Tedesco laboratory (www.tedescolab.org) studies skeletal muscle stem cells and regeneration, focusing on the development of novel experimental therapies for incurable neuromuscular disorders. Their work pioneered the use of human artificial chromosomes and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for muscle gene and cell therapies (Tedesco et al., Sci Transl Med 2011 and 2012; Maffioletti et al., Nat Protoc 2015; Benedetti et al., EMBO Mol Med 2017). They then developed the first disease-specific, human iPS cell-derived bioengineered muscle (Maffioletti et al., Cell Reports 2018). Recent projects investigated the use of small molecules to improve stem cell delivery (Gerli et al., Stem Cell Reports 2019) and the application of iPS cell-derived myogenesis for neuromuscular disease and therapy modelling (Steele-Stallard et al., Front Physiol 2018; Choi et al., EMBO Mol Med 2022; Pinton et al., Nat Protoc 2023).The Role
The role holder will be expected to produce independent, original contributions to the subject area, supervise junior lab members and help with daily lab management. The role holder will join a dynamic team (www.tedescolab.org) focusing on development of new disease models and therapeutic tools for incurable neuromuscular disorders in the context of a large Horizon Europe- URKI-SERI consortium led by Prof Tedesco (www.magic-horizon.eu).Key responsibilities and outcomes:

• Develop research projects in muscle disease modelling applied to gene therapy development both independently and as a member of a research team.
• Design, develop and refine experimental protocols in order to obtain reliable data.
• Carry out analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations using methodologies and other techniques appropriate to area of research
• Present regular progress reports on research to members of the research group and to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
• Prepare, in consultation with supervisor, material for publication in international journals and presentations at international conferences.
• Prepare and present findings of research activity to colleagues for review purposes.
• Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure that project/s are completed on time and within budget. These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities.
• Be responsible for one or more research assistants and/or technicians by allocating and supervising their work.
• Carry out student supervision, demonstrating or teaching duties within the post holder’s area of expertise.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks to keep abreast of developments in own specialism and related disciplines.
• Plan for specific aspects of research programmes including the use of research resources, laboratories and workshops where appropriate.
• Plan own day-to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme to allow for deadlines for journal publications to be met. To plan and prepare presentations and papers for conferences in consultation with Pi and other colleagues as appropriate
• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress and ensure research resources are used in the most effective manner,
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may need assistance with their research
• Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and students and build contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. To contribute to UCL’s public engagement programme by establishing links with local community groups, industries etc.
• Join external networks to share information and ideas.

Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:
Bold; Open; CollegialEssential

• PhD on gene therapy, gene engineering, stem cell biology, bioengineering, bioinformatics or similar subjects
• Experience, skills and proven track record (e.g. publication record) in one or more of the following research areas, prioritised as follows: 1) viral and/or non-viral vector engineering; 2) gene therapy; 3) bioinformatics; 4) bioengineering; 4) human stem cell cultures; 5) neuromuscular diseases.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage own time. Ability to multi-task and integrate the demands of different activities in parallel
• Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting and working within a group.

Desirable

• Experience in imaging analysis, high throughput screens or computational biology.
• Track record in securing research funding.

Postdoctoral Project Research Scientists are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and may guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.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: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:

Expected salary

Location

London

Job date

Wed, 29 May 2024 22:10:55 GMT

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