Senior Laboratory Research Scientist - High Throughput Screening (HTS)

Senior Laboratory Research Scientist in the HTS STP

Reports to: Head of HTS STP

This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Project summary

The High Throughput Screening (HTS) facility is one of the core science technology platforms (STP’s) available to all researchers at the Crick. We enable researchers at all levels to use large-scale screening techniques as part of their research. Our most popular activities include arrayed genome-wide CRISPR deletion and CRISPRa over-expression screens, genome-wide RNAi screens, large-scale cell-based screens with collections of well-characterised small molecules or proof-of-concept probe or tool discovery screens. The majority of the output of these screens is high content imaging. We also develop novel screening platforms as required by researchers one example of which is our development of a high throughput neutralisation assay to assess the ability of patient serum to prevent SARS Cov-2 infection (now successfully spun off as a separate unit within the Crick). In addition, we use our knowledge and technologies to automate and improve current research practices e.g. making and selecting CRISPR knockout cell lines, automating tissue culture procedures. Areas of recent expansion include genome-wide CRISPR screening to study infectious agents, arrayed CRISPRa screening in human ES, small molecule screening in mouse organoid models and fragment screening using purified proteins.

The research portfolio at the Crick encompasses a vast range of biology and specialisms and our role is to enable any researcher to pose ambitious and novel research questions that might otherwise seem daunting or impossible. This position will see you collaborate with researchers across the institute to create, plan and conduct large-scale screens (80-100k samples) while balancing a number of other projects at different levels of development simultaneously. This is an opportunity to use your accumulated biology knowledge and curiosity about unfamiliar areas of biology as well as your skills at the bench and creative mindset to produce the most informative and valuable research data possible. You will engage with highly experienced colleagues in an institute and environment that values discovery without boundaries and scientific excellence.

Organisation

Reporting to the head of the HTS facility, the post-holder will work closely and collaboratively with the HTS team of 6 highly experienced staff and will interact with other scientists, technical experts and operations staff across the institute to deliver excellent research output.

Key responsibilities

The successful applicant will undertake a number of projects at different stages of development simultaneously. Specific objectives will include, but not be limited to:

• Full project engagement and involvement (both strategically and at the bench) from initial assay development, to prosecuting the screen and final data analysis
• Quickly understand new biological systems and techniques when necessary and drive the whole screening process
• Creation of cell-based assays for high throughput screening applications in collaboration with, and harnessing the expertise of, domain experts
• Using existing High Content Imaging and liquid handling infrastructure effectively and inventively across a wide range of projects
• Employ a range of different reagents and where appropriate reagents are not available, create new ones e.g. creating cell lines
• Independently explore new screening techniques and approaches with a focus on meeting the user’s needs within tight timelines
• Establish viable cell free assays and prosecute such screens at scale with a range of modalities (e.g. HTRF, FP, thermal shift assays)
• Maintaining a productive dialogue with users throughout project lifecycle
• Contribute to the efficient running of the HTS facility by managing multiple projects directly and maintaining dialogue with all users; being aware of all other work ongoing and able to contribute and assist other projects where necessary
• Maintain effective records and contribute to the HTS databases
• Train users in relevant techniques when required

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open and collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

• Demonstrable extensive research experience. Your background could include a PhD with post-doctoral research experience or extensive Pharma experience for example
• Demonstrably capable of independent working and working to a timeline, controlling project progression and maintaining an effective interaction with collaborators
• Highly experienced in all cell culture techniques and demonstrable expertise in other complex culture systems e.g. organoids, early embryos, parasites and viruses
• Demonstrable expertise in prosecuting multiple large-scale screening campaigns either in Pharma or academia
• Demonstrable expertise in the use of a range of liquid handling devices, high content imaging devices and image analysis software tools
• Experience of delivering a service with excellent interpersonal skills
• Capable of self-teaching. Open to innovation and pragmatic problem solving. Adaptable and able to quickly understand unfamiliar biology
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrable ability to drive innovation in assay design and implementation

Desirable

• Wide experience of cell culture systems
• Experience of working with Containment level 2 and 3 organisms
• Experience of use of CRISPR, chemical and siRNA reagents for research
• Experience of creating and deploying cell-free or biochemical assays
• Data analysis and interpretation skills
• Proven research track record
• Experience of providing advice and teaching for users across a wide range of biological assays
• Demonstrable organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritise own workload.

Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website:https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion