Postdoctoral Scientist/CDF
£30,914 - £33,755 per annum
3 years fixed term
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
Researcher in cryo-electron microscopy and image processing.
We wish to recruit a researcher to develop, improve and apply methods for automated high-throughput screening of cryo-EM grids. Applicants should have experience of image processing or machine learning. In addition they should either have experience in operating transmission electron microscopes, or have a high level of competency in scripting or programming. The successful candidate will undertake independent scientific/technical research into new and improved methods for screening of cryo-EM grids in a joint project between the research groups of John Briggs and Sjors Scheres, and in collaboration with the LMB electron microscopy facility. They will develop and test novel scripts and protocols to control the electron microscope, and to computationally analyse the resulting images in real time. This will result in highly efficient, automated, intelligent routines able to thoroughly assess tens of cryo-EM grids in a single day. They will implement these developments using the extensive computing capabilities and electron microscopy instrumentation within the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK.
The LMB has a large and vibrant cryo-EM community and the successful candidate will collaborate extensively with cryo-EM researchers at LMB. The LMB has a world-leading electron microscopy facility that will contains more than ten electron microscopes including three Titan Krios microscopes, two Polaras, and a Glacios for the development and implementation of screening methods, as well as a suite of associated equipment for sample preparation. There are 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, optimizing and implementing methods and pipelines for cryo-electron microscopy and for computational image processing; sharing expertise and research results by collaborating with other users and staff performing electron microscopy or image analysis within the LMB; collaborating with companies developing electron microscopes.
Appointment will be made at MRC 4. A relevant PhD degree, excellent communication skills, experience with computational image processing and electron microscopy, and the ability to independently carry out a scientific/technical experimental research programme, are essential. A high level of competency in scripting, programming or image analysis would be desirable.
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/1318If you are unable to apply online please contact us at
[email protected].
Closing date: 31 October 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.
