Postdoctoral Scientist/CDF
Starting Salary £30,914 - £33,755 per annum
3 years fixed term
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
We wish to recruit a Postdoctoral Scientist/CDF to develop, improve and apply methods for cryo-electron tomography and computational image analysis by subtomogram averaging.
The successful candidate will undertake independent scientific/technical research into new and improved methods for cryo-electron tomography within the research group of Dr John Briggs, and implement these methods using instrumentation within the world-leading electron microscopy facility at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK.
The principal aim of Dr Briggs’ research group is the development and application of electron microscopy methods within a research programme aimed at structural and mechanistic studies of the assembly, maturation and fusion of enveloped viruses and coated vesicles.
The LMB has a large and vibrant cryo-EM community and the successful candidate will collaborate with members of the Briggs and Scheres groups, staff in the EM facility and other cryo-EM researchers at the LMB. The EM facility at the LMB contains ten electron microscopes including three Titan Krios microscopes as well as a suite of associated equipment for sample preparation. The MRC-LMB has extensive resources for high-performance computing including large CPU and GPU clusters.
The successful candidate’s main duties will include:
• Undertaking independent scientific research aimed at developing and optimizing methods and pipelines for experimental cryo-electron tomography as well as computational image processing by subtomogram averaging;
• Together with other members of the research group, applying improved methods to research fusion mechanisms of enveloped viruses and coated vesicles;
• Sharing expertise and research results by collaborating with other users and staff performing cryo-electron tomography or image analysis within the LMB.
A relevant PhD degree, excellent communication skills, substantial experience with electron microscopy, and the ability to independently carry out a scientific/technical experimental research programme, are essential. This role may be appropriate for a person interested in a future career in methods development research, or in technical support/management.
The successful applicant will be awarded a three year Career Development Fellowship / Postdoctoral training Scheme position. This is a training and development position for a post-doctoral scientist who has recently completed their doctoral studies, is moving into a new research discipline or has limited experience of key transferable skills. The MRC LMB has excellent scientific core facilities and training opportunities.
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology is a research institute within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at
www.ukri.org.
Working for UKRI MRC provides a whole host of benefits including:
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Excellent holiday entitlement (40 ½ days including bank holidays & privilege days)
• Benenden Healthcare membership
• Access to employee shopping/travel discounts
• On site sport and social facilities
• Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
• Childcare vouchers
To apply and access full details of the vacancy please visit our job board at
https://mrc.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/appcentre-1/candidate/postings/1284 If you are unable to apply online please contact us at
[email protected].
Closing date: 12 September 2019
Final appointments will be subject to a pre-employment screening.
The Medical Research Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer who participates in the Disability Confident scheme.
