Senior/ Laboratory Research Scientist -Histopathology team

Senior Laboratory Research Scientist / Laboratory Research Scientist

Reporting to: Emma Nye, Experimental Histopathology Lead

This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick Terms and Conditions of Employment.

Context

The Francis Crick institute (the Crick) is a partnership between the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the Wellcome Trust, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London and Kings College London. It is a registered charity whose purpose is to conduct biomedical research into all aspects of human health and disease.

The institute is a world-leading centre of biomedical research and innovation. It promotes connections between researchers and disciplines and between academic institutions, healthcare organisations and businesses. Dedicated to research excellence, the institute has the scale, vision and expertise to tackle the most challenging scientific questions underpinning health and disease.

Experimental Histopathology (EHP) is a Science Technology Platform (STP) within the Crick, providing a comprehensive and interactive centre for the histology-based analysis of experimental tissues and human bio resources/clinical trials, with the aim of relating experimental models to the pathology of human disease.

The purpose of this post is to provide comprehensive support in the operations of the EHP STP. The post responsibilities include shared responsibility for the smooth running and efficient operation of the EHP STP via the implementation of established in-house histology-based techniques and workflows, operation of instruments, general laboratory organisation and interaction with other members of the STP and Crick researchers. The post holder will also be required to investigate and develop new technologies to enhance the capabilities of the STP.

Crick scientists are encouraged to collaborate with, and work in the EHP STP, and training Crick scientists is an essential activity of the laboratory.

Key Responsibilities

• Exemplifying and maintaining standards for the service

• Supporting and contributing to existing projects through effectively and efficiently performing established techniques

• Conducting experimental work autonomously and by own initiative on projects as agreed with the deputy and STP Lead

• Operating as a technical specialist in histology-based techniques

• Interacting and consulting collaboratively with researchers to help plan experiments

• Liaising with other members of the EHP team; actively supporting and training team members to develop their skills and promote collective success

• Providing specialised training to researchers, visitors, and other Crick staff as required

• Using knowledge to build on existing methodologies and innovate through identification, assessment and development of new technologies, to expand the capabilities of the facility under guidance of STP Deputy and Lead

• Contribution to the day-to-day operations to ensure the laboratory runs as efficiently as possible, including reagent preparation, operation and maintenance of STP equipment, sample accession and preparation, maintenance of safety standards and general lab organisation

• Communication and participation in lab work discussions, lab meetings and STP talks, to keep colleagues informed of developments

• Striving for continuous performance improvement

• Maintaining professional development through attendance at meetings, seminars and reading relevant literature

Person Specification

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open, and Collegiate, in addition to the following:

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent) or extensive relevant experience

• Extensive histology experience including embedding, microtomy, cryotomy, and tinctorial staining

• Evidence of teaching/training experience

• Flexible working practice

• Ability to work with day-to-day independence but able to take direction when necessary

• High degree of self-motivation

• Ability to multi-task and integrate the demands of different activities in parallel to maintain operation of the laboratory

• Evidence of strong trouble-shooting skills, including the ability to analyse and think creatively and independently

• Excellent communication skills

• Experience using the Microsoft Office package, particularly Microsoft PowerPoint

• Open and interactive approach with line manager, colleagues and collaborators

Desirable

• PhD in a relevant discipline

• Experience running Leica Bond RX automated stainers

• Experience running Roche Discovery automated stainers

• Experience using a vibratome

• Experience/skills in IHC/IF

• Experience cutting sections for spatial transcriptomics platforms (CosMx, GeoMx, Visium, Xenium)

• Experience in RNAScope (ISH) staining

• Experience working in an academic environment

• Experience working in a service environment

• Experience in image acquisition and analysis

• Experience in rodent adult/embryonic dissection