MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Salary: £42,694 per annum plus London allowance £5,560 per annum
Fixed term (3 years)
London, UK
About us
The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a biomedical research institute where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. We are proud to launch our new Team Science initiative, marking a bold step toward a more collaborative, challenge-driven model of research.
Team Science
Scientific breakthroughs rarely come from isolation—they emerge when brilliant minds connect. Our Team Science approach is more than just multi-disciplinary; it’s a fundamentally different way of working. We foster deep collaboration across fields, institutions, industry, and society to tackle questions that no one could answer alone. As a postdoc, you’ll be part of a dynamic environment that values your individual expertise while amplifying it through shared infrastructure, collective ambition, and interdisciplinary innovation.
About the role
A talented and self-motivated postdoctoral researcher is needed to employ optical tweezers combined with fluorescence imaging to directly visualise nucleic acid sensor interactions with DNA and RNA substrates under applied force. These real-time, quantitative analyses will reveal how sensors such as cGAS, AIM2, RIG-I, MDA5, and TLR9 are modulated by nucleic acid structure, chromatin context, and post-translational modifications. You will take a leading role in the design and development of biochemical assays for high-throughput drug screening. In collaboration with the LMS/Imperial Drug Discovery Hub, they will execute compound screens to identify inhibitors, activators, and degraders of key nucleic acid sensors, followed by mechanistic validation using biophysical and biochemical platforms.
About you
We are seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious postdoctoral scientist who has PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or Biophysics. Experience using Lumicks C-Trap-optical tweezers is required along with practical experience in protein expression and purification of recombinant proteins. A proven track record of publishing scientific results in peer-reviewed journals is also necessary.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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
How to apply
For full details of the post and to complete an online application, visit https://mrc.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/appcentre-1/candidate/postings/3070 and upload your 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). Please quote reference number LMS 2730.
Applicants are encouraged to review the brochure and our LMS website for additional information and positions in the Team Science project.
Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff
Closing date: 31 December 2025
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 year three.
#J-18808-Ljbffr