Laboratory Research Scientist – Ratcliffe lab

This is a full-time, fixed term position for up to two years on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Laboratory Research Scientist to join a world-leading laboratory working on the sensing and signalling of oxygen levels in cells. The work has broad relevance in biology and direct relevance to many or most human diseases, including heart and lung disease, stroke and cancer. The ongoing work focuses on rapid responses to oxygen availability at the heart of cellular and organismal physiology. The laboratory is ‘problem-based’ and deploys a very wide range of technologies to address these problems. Further information can be found about the group at https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/peter-ratcliffe

Project summary

It is envisaged that the post-holder would contribute substantially to two of the laboratory’s projects:

Project 1: At the level of the organism one of the most striking responses to oxygen availability is the control of breathing. Though this has been linked to the function of specialised ‘chemo-sensitive’ cells in the brain and arterial chemoreceptors in the carotid body, the means by which the oxygen-sensitive signal is generated is still poorly understood. In part this is because of the lack of a good system to study the process at a molecular level. This project builds on work in this laboratory implicating developmental activation of a specific transcription factor (HIF-2alpha) in specifying the chemo-sensitive phenotype. It will attempt to recapitulate this using different types of human stem cells with potential for sympathoadrenal development and aims to develop novel oxygen chemo-sensitive cells.

Project 2: Though the laboratory has been successful in elucidating mechanisms underlying transcriptional responses to low oxygen (hypoxia), it is clear that other systems must exist to organise responses that are transduced locally in different parts of the cell. The laboratory is investigating a candidate system based on the function of a specific 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenase that catalyses the post-translational hydroxylation of lysine residues in unstructured domains of proteins involved in the formation of molecular condensates. The project aims to test the hypothesis that alterations in catalysis in hypoxic cells promote re-organisation of intracellular molecular condensates to adapt cellular functions to hypoxic stress.

Key Responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Provision of technical and research support in the area of hypoxic cell biology including the tissue culture of relevant specialised cells

• Contribute to the development of assays of oxygen sensitivity in cultured cells including fluorescence microscopy

• Performance of cell engineering under the direction and supervision of senior laboratory staff

• Compliance with all regulatory and safety protocols

• Accurate organisation of work and experimental record keeping

Experience and competence

Essential

• BSc or MSc in biochemistry, cell biology or related discipline

• Good working knowledge of general molecular biology techniques including tissue culture

• Ability to work accurately and maintain good records

• Strong collaborative ability and teamwork experience

Desirable

• Experience in stem cell maintenance and differentiation

• Experience in genetic engineering of cells

• Experience in fluorescence microscopy

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.