Senior Laboratory Research Scientist – Structural Biochemist, Visual Biochemistry lab

The Francis Crick Institute
London
3 weeks ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Software Engineer (GO/PHP)

Senior Project Engineer

Senior Solutions Architect

Senior Electronics Engineer

Senior Systems Engineer

Senior Golang Developer - 2 Day London - Inside IR35

Description

:

Job title:Senior Laboratory Research Scientist – Structural Biochemist, Visual Biochemistry lab

Details of the role:2 yr fixed term, full-time. Working pattern: Monday – Friday.

Salary: From £44,360 with benefits, dependent on skills and experience

Application closing date:11th April 2025 23:59 GMT

About us… 

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. 

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to collaborate and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy. 

About the role… 

The Enchev Lab is offering a unique opportunity to get involved in developing and applying methods for directly observing biochemical processes at atomic spatial and millisecond time resolution. Our work combines microfluidics devices to mix and incubate biochemical samples on sub-second timescales with rapid spray-plunge freezing for subsequent three-dimensional structure determination by time-resolved cryo-EM (trEM). By iterating this procedure at increasing incubation times and using machine learning-based approaches to map conformational landscapes, we generate time-lapse "movies" of biochemical binding and enzymatic reactions.

This role will support academic and industry collaborations and early-stage proof-of-concept trEM studies. Team working and an open mindas to how other disciplines and technologies can advance our work are critical.

Projects may vary in scope and duration. A representative example includes cloning, recombinant production, and biochemical purification of Cullin-RING ligases and their substrates, followed by biochemical characterization, time-resolved cryo-EM sample preparation, data collection, and analysis.

What you will be doing… 

AsanSLRSat the Crick, you will be involved in:

Protein Expression and Purification 

Design and generate protein expression constructs. 

Express recombinant proteins using bacterial and insect cell systems. 

Purify recombinant proteins using affinity, ion exchange, and size exclusion chromatography. 

Biochemical and Structural Characterization 

Conduct quantitative biochemical binding and activity assays 

Carry out standard as well as time-resolved cryo-EM sample preparation. 

Independently perform single-particle cryo-EM screening and data collection. 

Process single-particle cryo-EM datasets. 

Perform model building into high-resolution cryo-EM maps.

About you…

The essential criteria you will bring… 

PhD in biochemistry (or related fields) or equivalent experience 

Practical experience with protein expression, purification and in vitro protein biochemistry 

Theoretical and practical expertise in cryo-electron microscopy, single particle analysis and model building 

Track record of writing papers as evidenced by preprints and/or publications in peer-reviewed journals 

Ability to work flexibly, both independently and as part of a team 

Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

To see the complete job description, click.

To see more about the Group Leader click.

About Working at the Crick… 

Our values

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! 

We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. 

We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. 

We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. 

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our team and you will be asked as part of the process if you wish to apply under the Disability Confident scheme. We will make reasonable adjustments if you need them. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: k

To find out more about life at the Crick click .

What will you receive?

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development: 

Visas:Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK

Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays. 

Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%. 

Health & Well-being: 

24/7 GP consultation services. 

Occupational health services and mental health support programs. 

Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans. 

Work-Life Balance: 

Back-up care for dependents. 

Childcare support allowance. 

Annual leave purchase options. 

Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.

Perks: 

Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. 

Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction. 

Development & Recognition: Comprehensive training, mentoring, and a pay structure based on skills and experience.

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Portfolio Projects That Get You Hired for AI Jobs (With Real GitHub Examples)

In the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), an impressive portfolio of projects can act as your passport to landing a sought-after role. Even if you’ve aced interviews in the past, employers in AI and machine learning (ML) are increasingly asking candidates to demonstrate hands-on experience through the projects they’ve built and shared online. This is because practical ability often speaks volumes about your suitability for a role—far more than any exam or certification alone could. In this article, we’ll explore how to build an outstanding AI portfolio that catches the eye of recruiters and hiring managers, including: Why an AI portfolio is crucial for job seekers. How to choose AI projects that align with your target roles. Specific project ideas and real GitHub examples to help you stand out. Best practices for showcasing your work, from writing clear READMEs to using Jupyter notebooks effectively. Tips on structuring your GitHub so that employers can instantly see your value. Moreover, we’ll discuss how you can use your portfolio to connect with top employers in AI, with a handy link to our CV-upload page on Artificial Intelligence Jobs for when you’re ready to apply. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to building a portfolio that will help secure interviews—and the AI job—of your dreams.

AI Job Interview Warm‑Up: 30 Real Coding & System‑Design Questions

In today's competitive AI job market, nailing a technical interview can be the difference between landing your dream role and getting lost in the crowd. Whether you're looking to break into machine learning, deep learning, NLP (Natural Language Processing), or data science, your problem-solving skills and system design expertise are certain to be put to the test. AI‑related job interviews typically involve a range of coding challenges, algorithmic puzzles, and system design questions. You’ll often be asked to delve into the principles of machine learning pipelines, discuss how to optimise large-scale systems, and demonstrate your coding proficiency in languages like Python, C++, or Java. Adequate preparation not only boosts your confidence but also reduces the likelihood of fumbling through unfamiliar territory. If you’re actively seeking positions at major tech companies or innovative AI start-ups, then check out www.artificialintelligencejobs.co.uk for some of the latest vacancies in the UK. Meanwhile, this blog post will guide you through 30 real coding & system-design questions you’re likely to encounter during your AI job interview. This list is designed to help you practise, anticipate typical question patterns, and stay ahead of the competition. By reading through each question and thinking about the possible approaches, you’ll sharpen your problem-solving skills, time management, and critical thinking. Each question covers fundamental concepts that employers regularly test, ensuring you’re well-equipped for success. Let’s dive right in.

Negotiating Your AI Job Offer: Equity, Bonuses & Perks Explained

Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven itself to be one of the most transformative forces in today’s business world. From smart chatbots in customer service to predictive analytics in finance, AI technologies are reshaping how organisations operate and innovate. As the demand for AI professionals grows, so does the complexity of compensation packages. If you’re a mid‑senior AI professional, you’ve likely seen job offers that include far more than just a base salary—think equity, bonuses, and a range of perks designed to entice you into joining or staying with a company. For many, the focus remains squarely on salary. While that’s understandable—after all, your monthly take‑home pay is what covers day-to-day expenses—limiting your negotiations to salary alone can leave considerable value on the table. From stock options in ambitious startups to sign‑on bonuses that ‘buy you out’ of your current contract, modern AI job offers often include elements that can significantly boost your long-term wealth and job satisfaction. This article aims to shed light on the full scope of AI compensation—specifically focusing on how equity, bonuses, and perks can enhance (or sometimes detract from) the overall value of your package. We’ll delve into how these elements work in practice, what to watch out for, and how to navigate the negotiation process effectively. Our goal is to provide mid‑senior AI professionals with the insights and tools to land a holistic compensation deal that accurately reflects their technical expertise, leadership potential, and strategic importance in this fast-moving field. Whether you’re eyeing a leadership role in machine learning at an established tech giant, or you’re considering a pioneering position at a disruptive AI startup, the knowledge in this guide will help you weigh the merits of base salary alongside the potential riches—and risks—of equity, bonuses, and other benefits. By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of how to align your compensation with both your immediate lifestyle needs and long-term career aspirations.