Laboratory Research Officer

Salary for this Role

From £30,495.00

Laboratory Research Officer

Jonny Kohl

22/Feb/ GMT

Laboratory Research Officer

Reporting to:
Jonny Kohl

Contract term:
This is a 3-month position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

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 that 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 take risks 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.

This position is for a Laboratory Research Officer (LRO) for a duration of 3 months, in the State‑dependent Neural Processing Lab of Jonny Kohl.

The successful candidate will assist existing lab members with running and analysing behavioural experiments, and with performing and analysing in‑vivo calcium imaging data.

The candidate should have a background in Neuroscience, and experience in experimental laboratory work. He/she will be actively and intellectually contributing to the group’s scientific mission of understanding the effects of physiological states on information processing in the brain.

The role of a Laboratory Research Officer at the Francis Crick Institute is diverse and rewarding. The role covers a wide range of different functions and allows for smooth continuity of lab operations, providing fundamental support to the research at the Crick. The role offers support to one or more scientific projects or programmes. Typical activities include:

• Assisting other lab members with ongoing research projects.
• Providing experimental or technical support to other lab members.
• Participating in academic activities, including group meetings and journal clubs, seminars, and scientific meetings.

We seek a talented and passionate scientist to join Jonny Kohl’s State‑dependent Neural Processing laboratory. The laboratory studies how the state of the body affects brain form and function. Current research is focused on understanding how neural circuits for instinctive behaviours (e.g., parental behaviour) are remodelled by hormonal and other states. Details of research projects currently being undertaken can be seen at:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Research techniques used in the laboratory include behavioural assays, in vivo imaging and electrophysiology, patch clamp electrophysiology, circuit tracing, and genetic manipulations.

The successful candidate will support ongoing research by assisting lab members with behavioural assays, tissue processing and analysis (including staining, imaging, and image quantification), and by contributing to the development of pipelines for single‑cell and single‑nucleus RNA sequencing, as well as spatial transcriptomics. Depending on experience and motivation, the post holder will also have the opportunity to lead an independent research project.

These include but are not limited to:

• Keeping up to date and accurate records
• Collaborate on projects
• Actively contributing to the continuous improvement of the lab and lab culture

The candidate should have a background in Neuroscience, and experience in experimental laboratory work. The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:

Bold;
Open;
Collegial

Essential:

• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage own time
• Ability to work collaboratively…