View Vacancy MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist LMS 2642 Open Date 20/06/2025, 09:00 Close Date 15/07/2025, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences Research Institute / Unit Information The LMS is a world-class research laboratory where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. Funded by the MRC as part of UK Research and Innovation, the LMS has a collaborative working culture and new state-of-the-art building based in the heart of West London in the Hammersmith Hospital Campus (W12). The LMS aims to deliver transdisciplinary team science, in synergistic interaction with Imperial College and the wider national research environment. Part of achieving this, is to recruit new talent and support postdoctoral scientists to become world leaders in their area of science. 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 - 4 Location London Salary £41,344 plus London allowances £5,385 per annum Allowances 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. Contract Type Fixed Term Job Type Science Full Time / Part Time Full Time Contract Length 3 Years Job Description Overall purpose: We are looking for a talented postdoctoral research scientist to work on a project in epigenetics and transposable element biology in the Chromatin and Development group (headed by Michelle Percharde), at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) and Imperial College London. We previously discovered that the transposon, LINE1, is essential in mouse embryonic stem cells and embryos, highlighting unexpected roles for transposons in development (Percharde et al., Cell 2018). We have recently described new nucleolar chromatin-based mechanisms in development for transposon regulation (Xie et al., Genes Dev 2022), have defined new roles for transposon co-option in early mouse development (Chammas et al., Biorxiv 2024, in revision), and have revealed new mechanisms to uncouple transposon expression from harmful pathology, such as innate immune activation (Garcia-Llagostera et al., Biorxiv 2025). With guidance from Dr Percharde, the successful candidate will develop and lead a project from within these topics, for example relating to nucleolar chromatin or transposon biology. The ideal candidate will have a background in genome regulation, mammalian development, transposable element biology and/or related fields. Prior experience in human pluripotent cell culture and in performing high-throughput genomic techniques and developing or implementing new techniques is desirable. The position is available to be filled summer 2025, but the start date can be flexible. Main duties / key responsibilities: To plan and carry out research in accordance with the project aims Take initiatives in the planning of research Write reports for submission to research sponsors Submit publications to refereed journals Provide guidance to staff and students Contribute to bids for research grants Conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision Maintain highly organised and accurate record of work To attend project and related research group meetings To interact and collaborate with group members Write-up and publication of work in peer-reviewed journals To take an active part in the academic activities of the LMS To attend and contribute to journal clubs and seminar presentations Presentation of data at national and international meetings To form good working relationships with other members of the group as well as internal and external collaborators To assist others and co-supervise students when required Person Specification Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form): Essential: A PhD (or equivalent experience) in gene regulation, chromatin biology, development or a related biological field Desirable: A first-author publication, preprint or manuscript in preparation for imminent submission Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview): Essential: Evidence that the candidate can plan and carry on a research project Extensive wet lab experience in techniques relating to at least one of: molecular biology, genomics, chromatin profiling and transposon biology Desirable: Expertise in human pluripotent cell (iPSC/ESC) tissue culture and manipulations Experience producing libraries for chromatin analysis (eg, ATAC-seq, C&R, C&T) Interest in and proven experience of developing or implementing new techniques in the lab Experience in handling and bioinformatics analysis of 'omics datasets Evidence of actively contributing to or driving scientific collaborations Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from application form and at interview): Essential: Excellent written communication skills in English A strong interest in genome regulation, chromatin, transposable elements and development Demonstration of creative approaches to problem solving Desirable: Strong publication record and exposure to scientific meetings Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview): Essential: Ability to conduct reproducible research Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature Ability to develop and apply new concepts Creative approach to problem-solving Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative Flexible attitude towards work Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times Willingness to work out of normal working hours if the requirements of the project demand Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role Further Information Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2642. This role qualifies for endorsement by UKRI for a UK Global Talent Visa, for which the successful applicant is likely to be eligible to apply. We will also reimburse the cost of visa application (terms and conditions apply). Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff 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, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. 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.