Postdoctoral Research Scientist
(3 year fixed term)
Salary: £32,302 - £35,143 plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum*
London, UK
Overall purpose
The Chromatin & Development group, led by Dr Michelle Percharde, focuses on understanding the molecular events surrounding cell fate choices during early development. We aim to dissect novel transcriptional, epigenetic, and signalling axes important for embryogenesis. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, curious and motivated postdoctoral scientist to our group. Visit
www.perchardelab.com and
https://lms.mrc.ac.uk/research-group/chromatin-and-development/ for more information.
Job Summary
Our lab investigates mechanisms of chromatin regulation in early mammalian development. We have a particular interest in understanding how chromatin regulation and other mechanisms are important for transposable element (TE) expression and function. TEs make up a significant portion of our genomes and are now implicated in many normal but also pathological processes. We recently discovered a novel complex comprising LINE1 RNA that is essential for 2-cell exit and maintenance of the ESC state, highlighting unexpected roles for TEs in development (Percharde et al., Cell 2018). Despite this TEs are significantly understudied, with much to be discovered about how their expression and function is controlled (Percharde et al., Bioessays 2020).
The lab is looking for a curious and motivated postdoc to investigate novel aspects of chromatin and TE regulation in development versus disease, with a particular focus on human biology and disease modeling. We are interested in understanding the contribution of TEs to mammalian gene regulatory networks, describing novel roles for TEs, and exploring how TE regulation and function become misregulated in pathologies such as aging and cancer. This position would suit a creative individual who is keen to explore some of the lab’s questions and/or motivated to develop their own questions within the lab’s research scope. The project will involve techniques routinely employed in the lab including genome-wide chromatin and transcriptomic assays, bioinformatic analyses, imaging, molecular embryology and CRISPR/Cas9 manipulation.
The post-holder will be a key member of the Chromatin & Development group, and as such will enjoy a high level of scientific responsibility. The successful candidate will have a strong background in development, chromatin, or gene regulation, with this post ideally suiting someone with experience working with human ESCs/iPSCs and/or a strong background in bioinformatics. The position is available to be filled ideally before Spring 2022.
Applicants must submit their CV and a cover letter clearly evidencing their interest for the position and explaining how they meet essential criteria.
Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):
Essential:
• PhD degree in a relevant biochemical/biological/biomedical discipline (or be in the final stages of completing one)
Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
• Experience in working either with stem cell culture or in genomics/epigenetic bioinformatics
Desirable:
• Experience in working with human iPSCs or ESCs
• Previous experience with genome-wide experiments and/or bioinformatic analysis (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, disease modeling)
Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview):
Essential:
• Strong conceptual background and interest in one of the following: mammalian epigenetics, genome organization, development, TEs, or gene regulation
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written
Desirable:
• One or more first-author publications either in a peer-reviewed international journal or currently in preparation/submission for publication
• Previous experience in presenting scientific data at national or international scientific conferences
Personal skills/behaviours/qualities (will be assessed at interview):
Essential:
• Ability to work as an enthusiastic part of a team.
• Ability to conduct research independently, including experiment conception, design, execution, analysis and presentation to the group.
• Experience in learning and acquisition of new skills, technique troubleshooting, and ability to seek creative solutions to scientific problems.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as the project demands, and to travel nationally or internationally for research or conference attendance
• Enthusiasm to work collaboratively and share skills and knowledge with other team members.
This is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist position providing training and development supporting post-doctoral scientists in early or changed career paths helping establish them as successful research scientists in their chosen field.
For full details of this post (Job Description and Person Specification) and to complete an online application, visit:
https://mrc.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/appcentre-1/candidate/postings/1665 and upload your CV, the names and contacts of two scientific references, along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this post (providing evidence against the requirements as per the Job Description and Person Specification). Please quote reference number LMS 1654
Closing date: 10th October 2021
Final appointment will be subject to pre-employment screening
* Additional allowances comprise a £1,000 lump sum Settlement Allowance plus a yearly Training Allowance of £850 in the first year, paid in monthly instalments. The Training Allowance increases to £1,300 in year two, and £1,800 in the third year.
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.
The MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences is a research institute within UK Research and Innovation. UK Research and Innovation 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
