Job title: Senior Laboratory Research Scientist

Reporting to: Francesca Ester Morreale, Group Leader

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

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist (SLRS) to join the newly established Targeted Protein degradation & Antibiotic Research Laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute.

In response to the critical need of novel antibiotic development approaches, our lab aims at establishing targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology in pathogenic bacteria. TPD technology relies on eliminating target proteins from the cell through small molecule degraders, rather than temporarily inhibiting them with conventional inhibitors. While TPD is now well established in human cells, its feasibility in bacteria has been demonstrated only recently. On this basis, our laboratory aims at exploring the potentials of TPD strategies to boost antibiotics discovery.

With strategic direction from the group leader, the SLRS in our group will have a crucial role in method development for antibiotic degraders susceptibility screenings, generation of genetically modified bacterial strains and validation of novel mechanisms of action. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic and collaborative group, taking on a lab manager role, supporting different lab members’ projects and undertaking their own research.

The Research Group

The newly established laboratory of Dr Francesca Ester Morreale focuses on enabling targeted protein degradation technology for the discovery of novel antibiotics. See more here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/francesca-ester-morreale.

To develop protein degradation strategies in pathogenic bacteria, our lab studies the structure, function and substrate preferences of bacterial proteolytic complexes combining biochemistry, structural biology and proteomics. We use high-throughput screening and chemical biology approaches to identify small molecule degraders and evaluate their activity against pathogens.

Role and Key responsibilities

The role of a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist at the Crick is diverse and rewarding, it 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. Key responsibilities for the current position include, but are not limited to:

• Developing, refining, troubleshooting and providing technical expertise for:
  • General microbiology activities including genetic engineering, bacterial cell culture, genome sequence analyses
  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing and screening
  • Phenotypic assays setup and optimisation
  • Constructs cloning for recombinant protein expression
• Assisting other lab members with research projects, providing experimental or technical support
• 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.

Experience and Competencies

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

Essential

• Strong expertise in molecular microbiology techniques, handling biosafety and microbiological containment
• PhD degree or equivalent level of experience in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology or a related discipline
• Experience with antibiotics susceptibility testing
• Enthusiasm and initiative to develop new skills, establish new methods and integrate multidisciplinary approaches
• Knowledge of protein biochemistry
• Ability to work towards agreed-upon goals as part of a team and independently
• Positive and collaborative attitude to colleagues and willingness to train students,
• Experience in training/mentoring others
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Desirable

• Experience in protein expression and purification is highly desirable
• Experience in biochemistry and structural biology
• Experience in quantitative MS-based proteomics
• Experience in chemical biology and high-throughput screening

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