Job title:
Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist
Reports to:
George Kassiotis Principle Group Leader
Contact term:
This is a full-time, fixed term (2-year) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
Project summary
The Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist will carry out research on transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the initiation, progression and immune control of human cancer. Particular emphasis will be placed on endogenous retroviruses and other endogenous retroelements that current work in the lab has identified as cancer-specific. The focus is the creation of novel or alteration of existing gene function, through co-option of endogenous retroelements in cancer, and the creation of cancer-specific antigens through transcriptional activation of typically repressed endogenous retroviruses.
The Research Group
This role will be pivotal in ensuring continuation of research on endogenous retroviruses in human cancer in the Kassiotis lab at the Francis Crick Institute:
Lab web page: https://www.crick.ac.uk/george-kassiotis
The Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist will 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.
Key responsibilities
These include but are not limited to:
Designing, performing, analysing and interpreting experiments to investigate the exaptation of endogenous retroelements in the context of human cancer, which will be studied in humans as well as animal models
Working within a team that carries out research on immune reactivity to retroviral antigens in the context of infection and cancer.
Carrying out the processing, analysis and integration of distinct next generation sequencing and multiple ‘omics’ data.
Using existing, and developing and maintaining pipelines for the analysis of multiple ‘omics’ data.
Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:
Bold; Open; Collegial
Essential
PhD in cancer biology, computational biology or related disciplines (or in the final stages of completion)
A strong background in statistical analyses
A strong background in state-of-the-art cell biology techniques
Experience in the analysis of next generation sequencing data
Excellent theoretical knowledge of the principles of genetics, cancer biology and cancer immunology
Experience with scripting language (Python or Perl), R statistical programming language, Bioconductor, and with LINUX based systems
Ability to design and maintain analysis pipelines
The post holder is expected to be creative and motivated, conscientious and able to work independently, but also to interact well within the team
Excellent record keeping and ability to communicate well are also essential
Demonstration of scientific ability and excellence by means of authorship (first author) peer reviewed publications in internationally recognized scientific journals
Desirable
Experience in bioinformatics analysis of repetitive elements
Experience in retroviral production and transduction techniques
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. Its work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.
An independent organisation, its founding partners are the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London.
The Crick was formed in 2015, and in 2016 it moved into a new state-of-the-art building in central London which brings together 1500 scientists and support staff working collaboratively across disciplines, making it the biggest biomedical research facility under in one building in Europe.
The Francis Crick Institute will be world-class with a strong national role. Its distinctive vision for excellence includes commitments to collaboration; developing emerging talent and exporting it the rest of the UK; public engagement; and helping turn discoveries into treatments as quickly as possible to improve lives and strengthen the economy.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please apply via our website.
The closing date for applications is 30 November 2023 at 23:30.
All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
Equality, Diversity and 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: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion
