"Senior Structural Biochemist"

Location: London

Salary: From £45,700 per annum plus benefits, subject to skills and experience

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 1st September 2025

Closes: 14th September 2025

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.

This project aims to define the structural basis for the molecular mechanism PolθHelicase-orchestrated MMEJ initiation by capturing dynamic snapshots of its RPA-displacing and microhomology annealing activities by time-resolved cryo-EM (Maeots et al. 2020 and 2025). These proof-of-concept studies, if successful, would not only greatly advance basic biologic understanding but also highlight the importance of understanding structural dynamics for drug discovery.

We are now looking for a Senior Structural Biochemist to join the team at the Crick.

Within this role you will be expected to creatively lead on your own project, whilst also contributing to the wider team ongoing projects. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a truly multi-disciplinary research programme, which will train the next-generation of scientific leaders, equipped to succeed both in academia and in industry. You will work with highly experienced colleagues and collaborators in an institute that values discovery without boundaries.

As a Senior Structural Biochemist at the Crick, your key responsibility will be to perform biochemical reconstitutions and structural studies relating to the project.

Some of the other specific aims include, but are not limited to:

• In vitro biochemical binding and activity assays of relevant POLQ constructs and substrates
• Structural studies of above complexes by conventional cryo-EM and single particle analysis
• Application of trEM workflows to the above and related complexes

You will have:

• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in biochemistry, structural biology or related field.
• Track record of research experience in molecular mechanism of helicases and/or DNA damage and repair pathways.
• Practical experience with in vitro protein biochemistry.
• Strong practical and theoretical knowledge of cryo-EM, single particle analysis and model building.
• Track record of ability to plan, design and execute independent biochemical and structural biology research

To apply for this role, please click on the Apply button above.