MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Environmental Exposure Screening

3 years fixed term | Full-time | Location: Hammersmith London

Overall purpose:

Understanding how chemicals in our environment cause disease has been constrained by a fundamental lack of tools. The Tissue Biology Group is building spatial singlecell genomics technologies and high-throughput screening platforms to reveal, cell by cell, how exposures remodel tissues and drive disease. To do this, the group develops new methods for single-cell spatial multiomics, for in vitro and in vivo screening, and for the computational analysis these data demand.

We encounter thousands of chemicals over a lifetime, and for the overwhelming majority, the biological consequences are unknown. Where there is an effect, it is often recorded in the genome, epigenome, and/or transcriptome of individual cells, as somatic mutation, as altered DNA methylation, or as a shift in which clones expand and how they behave. Conventional testing approaches are too slow, too low-throughput, and often too distant from human biology to close that gap; what is needed is the ability to screen exposures at scale, with readouts that can generate mechanistic hypotheses.

We are looking for a talented postdoctoral scientist to establish the group's exposure screening capability. The post holder will build screening platforms that make it possible to assay many exposures in parallel, and will develop the molecular and phenotypic readouts that make those screens informative. The work follows one of two strands, and which one the post holder takes will be shaped by their background and interests:

• The in vitro strand: establishing novel screening platforms using organoid, primary cell, or comparable human-relevant culture systems with multiplexed, sequencing-based readouts, suitable for testing many compounds and doses in parallel.
• The in vivo strand: establishing novel screening approaches that allow exposures to be assayed in tissue at a scale conventional study designs cannot reach. The post holder would carry out this animal work themselves and would be bringing that expertise into the group, so established hands-on in vivo experience is required for this strand, together with a UK Home Office personal licence or readiness to obtain one.

This is a method-development post with deliberately broad reach. A successful screening platform will be used by collaborating groups, and it may have a route to commercialisation. Since these readouts report on mechanism rather than on any single chemical, the same platform can be used to study mutagenesis, ageing, cancer, and drug toxicology, whatever the compound class under test.

This is a mixed wet/dry laboratory post. The successful candidate will generate their own data at the bench and take primary responsibility for its analysis, with support from the group and from the LMS core facilities in genomics, flow cytometry, light microscopy, metabolomics, whole animal physiology and imaging, and scientific computing.

As a newly established group, we can offer real scope to shape the direction of the project, alongside structured mentoring. We care about the kind of lab we are, not just the science we do. We look for curiosity and creativity, we work collaboratively and with mutual respect, and we want everyone in the group to grow as scientists and as people, with mentorship at every level and active support for training. Members of the group will work with an extensive network of collaborators, be encouraged to present their work at international meetings, and to publish work that others can build on, with methods documented and shared.

Key skills:

• Experience in molecular and cell biology.
• Experience in experimental screening and/or computational analysis of high-dimensional biological data, with demonstrable aptitude for both.
• Programming in R and/or Python for the analysis of sequencing and screening data.
• Experience in screen design, execution, and analysis is an advantage.
• Established hands-on experience in in vivo work, and a UK Home Office personal licence, are required for the in vivo strand of the project and are otherwise an advantage.
• Experience in organoid or advanced in vitro culture systems, and in new approach methodologies (NAMs), is an advantage.
• A background in toxicology, exposomics, mutagenesis, or environmental health is an advantage.
• Experience in laboratory automation, liquid handling, or assay miniaturisation is an advantage.
• Knowledge of HPC environments is an advantage.
• A record of accomplishments indicating the ability to develop new methods, and to analyse, visualise, and disseminate high-dimensional data.

Main Responsibilities:

• To plan and carry out research in accordance with the project aims, taking initiative in its direction.
• To design, establish, optimise, and benchmark new screening platforms and their readouts.
• To generate, manage, and analyse large screening and sequencing datasets.
• To maintain a highly organised and accurate record of work, and to work reproducibly.
• To prepare work for publication and to contribute to grant submissions. 
• To present at group meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and national and international meetings as necessary.
• To collaborate closely with other members of the team, and with internal and external collaborators.
• To co-supervise MSc and PhD students and to assist others when required.
• To contribute to the smooth running of the Group's/Unit's laboratories and facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians, and students within the laboratories.
• To comply with the Institute, College, Division, and Unit safety practices, including those governing work with animals and hazardous substances, and to attend courses on safety when appropriate.
• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by the Head of Group as well as the Head of Division.

Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from the application form):

Essential:

• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in molecular or cell biology, genomics, toxicology, computational biology, or a closely related discipline.

Desirable:

• A first-author publication, preprint, or manuscript in preparation for imminent submission.
• A current UK Home Office personal licence.

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Evidence that the candidate can plan and carry out a research project.
• Hands-on wet laboratory experience in molecular and/or cell biology, and a willingness to generate data at the bench from the start of the post.
• Experience in working with high-dimensional biological data, either generating it, analysing it, or both.
• For candidates applying to the in vivo strand: established hands-on experience in animal work, and either a current UK Home Office personal licence or equivalent experience gained elsewhere with a readiness to obtain one. This is not required for the in vitro strand.

Desirable:

• Experience in the design, execution, and analysis of screens, whether high-throughput, arrayed, pooled, CRISPR, or compound screens, in any system.
• Experience in organoid, primary cell, or other advanced in vitro culture systems, or in new approach methodologies (NAMs).
• Experience in designing in vivo studies under a Home Office project licence.
• Experience in next-generation sequencing library preparation, including single-cell or low-input methods.
• Experience in laboratory automation, liquid handling, or assay miniaturisation.
• An interest in, and proven experience of, developing or implementing new techniques in the lab.
• Evidence of actively contributing to or driving scientific collaborations.

Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from the application form and at the interview):

Essential:

• Demonstrable strength in either experimental work or computational analysis of high-dimensional data, with clear evidence of aptitude and appetite for the other.
• The ability to write and apply code in R and/or Python, or clear evidence of the capacity to acquire this quickly.
• Experience in planning and completing research projects, demonstrated through relevant publications and presentations.
• Excellent written communication skills in English and the ability to write clearly for publication.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of toxicology, exposomics, mutagenesis, or environmental health research.
• Experience in analysing mutational signatures, DNA methylation, or clonal dynamics.
• Familiarity with HPC environments and reproducible analysis workflows (for example version control, workflow managers, containers).
• An understanding of dose-response design and the statistical analysis of screening data.

Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview):

Essential:

• The ability to conduct reproducible research.
• The ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature.
• The ability to develop and apply new concepts.
• A creative approach to problem-solving, and persistence when a method does not work first time.
• A keen interest in learning new skills, across both wet and dry laboratory work.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people.
• The ability to motivate others to produce a high standard of work.
• The ability to organise own work with minimal supervision.
• The ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines.
• Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets, and the internet.
• A willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative.
• A flexible attitude towards work.
• Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times.
• A willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role.

Additional information:

Applicants should submit (via the 'Apply' button above) 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 2958.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to a.russell@lms.mrc.ac.uk

Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff.

£42,694 plus London allowances £5,560 per annum*