Laboratory Research Scientist

Job title:

• Senior/ Laboratory Research Scientist

Closing date and time:

• 31 May 2021 at 23:59

Reports to:

• Group Leader, Naomi Moris

Contract term:

• This is a full-time, fixed term (12 months) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment, which could also be offered as a secondment.

Project summary

Much remains to be discovered about the molecular and genetic basis of human embryonic development, especially regarding the emergence and embellishment of the body plan. Research in the Stem Cell & Human Developmental Biology Laboratory will uncover the principles of human embryonic development using the cutting-edge in vitro model systems within an environment of systems biology theory.

A major goal of our group’s research will be to describe and understand the emergence of cell lineages in early post-implantation human development through single-cell transcriptomics. We will focus our investigations on a three-dimensional gastruloid system as a model of human development. In human gastruloids, aggregated human embryonic stem cells pattern themselves and develop in vitro in a manner akin to the posterior part of the mammalian embryo.

Our findings will provide a basis with which to interpret congenital abnormalities; a key theme of our future research. We will model embryonic pathologies using precision genome editing to generate patient-relevant models of congenital anomaly states and will relate these to our growing understanding of human embryogenesis. 

The Research Group

This position is for a fixed-term Senior/Laboratory Research Scientist (S/LRS) to help establish the Stem Cell & Human Development Laboratory led by Dr Naomi Moris. The postholder will provide support with establishing a laboratory that seeks to understand human embryonic development by using in vitro models made with human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs). In addition to general tasks in organising the laboratory infrastructure, the LRS is expected to implement molecular and cell biology workflows in the laboratory, including cell culture experiments. The Start-up LRS will work closely with the hub team and their quadrant manager to ensure smooth integration of the group at the Crick. Suitable candidates should have a background in developmental biology, molecular and cell biology or related fields.

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Cell culture, including generation of human gastruloids and their characterisation using a range of imaging techniques
• Performing research towards a defined personal project, or working alongside other lab members to complete larger research projects
• Helping with initial establishment of the Moris lab infrastructure: equipment, workspace, procurement etc.
• Helping to catalogue cell lines, antibodies and reagents generated in the lab, including existing ones
• Training new lab members in SOPs
• Encouragement of a positive, motivating lab atmosphere

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

Qualifications, experience and competencies:

• Higher education degree in developmental biology or similar

• Experience in imaging, including widefield and confocal microscopy
• Experience in mammalian cell culture
• Motivation to perform cutting-edge science using in vitro tools to understand development
• Strong skills in organising and thorough record-keeping
• Strong collaborative ability and teamwork experience

Desirable

Qualifications, experience and competencies:

• Experience/general appreciation for human developmental biology
• Experience in human ES cell or iPS cell culture
• Experience in bioinformatic analysis, modelling or computational biology approaches
• Experience with organoids or other 3D in vitro systems