About the role
We encounter thousands of chemicals over a lifetime, and for the overwhelming majority, the biological consequences are unknown. Conventional testing is too slow, too distant from human biology, and rarely elucidates how harm arises. Where there is an effect, it is often recorded in the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, or neighbourhoods of individual cells. However, reading those records at scale requires new technology.
The Tissue Biology Group is a newly established lab at the MRC LMS, building the single-cell genomics and screening tools needed for high-throughput mechanistic characterisation of chemicals.
You will build our exposure screening capability, taking one of two strands: in vitro platforms in organoid or primary cell systems, or novel in vivo approaches. You will develop the readouts that make these screens informative, from mutational signatures to morphology and transcriptomics, and the analyses needed to generate mechanistic hypotheses.
About You
You will need a PhD (or equivalent experience) in molecular or cell biology, genomics, toxicology, computational biology, or a related field. You must be ready to work at the bench from day one and to analyse your own data, and should be strong in either experimental work or computational analysis, with clear evidence of aptitude and appetite for the other. Informal enquiries are welcome: a.russell@lms.mrc.ac.uk
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer 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 Assistance Programme, 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 this post and to complete an online application, visit UKRI careers 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). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2958.
*Additional allowances comprise a £1,000 Settlement Allowance and a Training Allowance rising from £850 to £1,800 over three years.
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).
Closing date 1 November 2026
Final appointment will be subject to pre-employment screening
Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff.
