View Vacancy Senior Investigator Scientist - Neurobiology - Dr Albert Cardona - LMB 2764 Open Date 28/01/2026, 08:00 Close Date 11/02/2026, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Research Institute / Unit Information The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years. There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute. The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical 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 Band MRC - 3 Location Cambridge Salary £52,253 - £60,834 per annum Contract Type Fixed Term Job Type Science Full Time / Part Time Full Time Contract Length 2 years Job Description Overall purpose: To lead on a range of projects within the group of Dr Albert Cardona at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), as part of an overall programme aimed at studying the neural circuit basis of behaviour. Specifically, to map the synaptic wiring diagram, or connectome, of whole brains, designing, building and using machine learning approaches to computer vision as applied to volume electron microscopy of whole brains. Inspire ideas for research in the context of the work of the Neurobiology Division. To play a major role in the work of the research group, through the conduct of research, introduction of new ideas, dissemination of research results, support and training of others. Contribute to the strategic development of the group and of the Division overall. To be a focus of expertise on computational data analysis, image processing, systems administration and software engineering as relate to the day-to-day operations of a neuroscience research laboratory acquiring and analysing data from electron microscopes and other imaging modalities. Main duties: • Under the general leadership of the Group Leader, to be responsible for all aspects of the research projects, including defining the direction of the work, conducting the research, analysing the data, preparing the work for publication and disseminating the results at meetings. • To present your work at seminars within the laboratory and at external meetings. • To contribute to laboratory-wide discussions on developments within the laboratory, particularly in the use of new techniques or new equipment. • To contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication. • To disseminate research findings in the form of publications, presentations, and reports and thus support the QQR mission of the division. • To identify, develop and apply a broad range of techniques to pursue the research objectives. • To keep up to date with developments in the field, proposing or implementing changes of direction as necessary. • To train students, Postdoctoral Scientist and others and line management of group members where appropriate. • To contribute to the MRC's engagement with the public and in the translation of research findings into improvements in health care. Key responsibilities: The key responsibility is to undertake cutting edge research, aimed at key questions within the remit of the research group. You will be expected to provide the intellectual energy and independent thinking necessary to deliver the research and to play a major role in shaping the overall aims and success of the group. You will be expected to have the skill and understanding to be able to act independently in solving problems, many of which may require novel approaches. This will require the integration of different activities to ensure the successful delivery of the research projects. To introduce and apply new techniques across a wide range of disciplines and to have the creativity and initiative to develop novel approaches. To interact effectively with a wide range of staff, students and others to ensure the smooth running of the research group. This will include setting an example in the effective use of resources, training others in methods and use of equipment and taking responsibility for the use of communal facilities. To take on responsibility for managing equipment. To write scientific papers and to present at internal meetings and at conferences. To ensure the research is conducted in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local policies and legal requirements. To recognise opportunities for the creation of intellectual property and to cooperate in patent protection and in exploitation. To secure appropriate external funding and hence staffing and resources for the project, to include preparing grant applications for external funding and developing protocols. To manage existing collaborations, and establish new collaborations, both within the division and the LMB and with external establishments. To have a broad, balanced and informed perspective of current scientific issues especially those pertaining directly to the area of software engineering and systems administration in their application to neuroscience research, in particular volume electron microscopy-based connectomics. To agree the overall strategic direction of your research. You will be expected to take managerial and budgetary responsibility for your research projects, especially the procurement of external funding. Line management responsibilities will be undertaken; these responsibilities, to include staff development and performance management, should be applied in accordance with UKRI's policies and procedures. Training will be given if necessary. Working relationships: You will report to Dr Albert Cardona and will liaise with other Research Support staff, Postdoctoral Scientists and students, not only in your group, but also across the LMB and with external collaborators. Person Specification Academic qualifications and experience: PhD in a relevant biological subject, or MSc / MPhil plus substantial experience in industry in the field of computer vision and machine learning. Extensive research experience in analysing imagery of neurons, handling large collections of confocal microscopy stacks, registering multi-terabyte series of electron microscopy images, setting up cluster computing routines for automated data analysis, system administration skills in monitoring and managing petabyte-scale data storage servers and databases, and expertise in computer programming in python, javascript, SQL, and other programming languages. In addition, the candidate will arrive with some experience developing novel algorithms and having published them in scientific journals or computer science conferences. Experience in using modern machine learning libraries such as PyTorch and their execution in GPUs, plus experience in several other programming languages, ideally Rust, Java, or C++, and Javascript, would be desirable. In particular, we seek a candidate with experience in developing new machine learning approaches to object boundary segmentation, in instance segmentation, and in quantitative methods for monitoring and improving the performance of software. Furthermore, the ideal candidate will be able to comfortably demonstrate and or learn, either Linux or *BSD operating systems, performing system administration tasks on servers, and executing software in GPU and CPU clusters for high-performance computing. Technical skills and expertise: Significant experience of and proven expertise in cutting edge research relevant to the project, and knowledge of the field. The ideal candidate will have a background in bioimage informatics, with expertise in signal processing, processing algorithms in general and with specific expertise in instance segmentation, ideally in electron microscopy volumes, with ample experience writing custom software to handle image processing and image analysis tasks. Particularly useful would-be comprehensive experience in and knowledge of: • The development and application of cluster computing pipelines to process large sets of image volumes. • CATMAID, Fiji, BiaPy and other open-source software platforms for handling neuroscience imagery. • Knowledge of Drosophila larval neuroanatomy and the use of NBLAST to compare and identify neurons by morphology. • Managing large datasets using system administrator skills in Linux and *BSD servers, and knowledge of databases such as PostgreSQL. • The use of the Python programming language with evidence in the form of online version control repositories of software written by the applicant. • The use of GPU and CPU computer clusters. • Implementing algorithms into version-controlled software packages for use by others. • Setting up datasets in FlyWire. • Cloud computing with AWS or similar vendors. • Programming languages including python, bash, R, Java, C++, SQL and Javascript. • Work with version control systems. Additionally, the candidate will have the ability to and evidence of: • Write scientific manuscripts. • Travel to and present at scientific conferences. • Travel for work to visit other laboratories to work in collaboration. Track record of research: This will include discoveries and significant achievements, and published papers preferably first author. Other relevant evidence of: • Independent working and decision making • Excellent standards of research conduct • Mentoring • Originality • Influencing skills • Communication skills • Leadership • Intellectual Property Additional information: Ability to travel internationally to scientific conferences and for extended visits to other laboratories. Applicants are required to submit a full CV and covering letter. Further Information You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI: • Code of Conduct • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy • Health and Safety policy • Data Protection policy Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager. The above lists are not exhaustive, and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council. In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs. We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.