MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Gut-Brain-Immune Axis

MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences

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. LMS is one of three directly funded MRC research institutes and enjoy close links with our partners at Imperial College London and at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

About the role

Are you looking for projects that solve transdisciplinary problems to improve human health? The Wong lab (https://ckwonglab.github.io) is seeking a postdoctoral scientist to join our team to study gut hormones and the gut-brain-immune axis in vivo. We are a newly established research group based at the MRC LMS, focused on investigating how gut hormones and related peptides modulate systemic and tissue-specific inflammation by bridging the disciplines of endocrinology, immunology, and neuroscience, using an integrative approach of in vivo and ex vivo models complemented by in vitro mechanistic studies and in silicocomputational analysis. Our research program stems from foundational work defining the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonists (Wong et al 2022 Cell Metab; Wong et al 2024 Cell Metab; Wong et al 2025 Cell Metab). One of our group’s current focuses is to explore how gut hormones and related peptides modulate peripheral inflammation via central and peripheral nervous systems.

About You

You will hold a PhD (or equivalent experience) and have a strong background in one or more of these areas (neuroscience, endocrinology, or immunology), with at least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal. You must have advanced in vivo mouse skills, including colony management, handling, and survival surgeries (intracranial or peripheral nerve), enabling you to independently design, lead, and execute mouse neuroscience projects.

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 this post and to complete an online application, click on the ‘Apply’ button above 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 2319.

*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.

***Final appointment will be subject to pre-employment screening***

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