Senior GeMS Research Scientist - BRF

Salary for this Role:

From £45,100 with benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title:

Senior GeMS Research Scientist - BRF

Reports to:

Ben Davies

Closing Date:

06/Apr/2025 23.59 GMT

Job Description:

Senior GeMS Research Scientist - BRF

This is a full-time, temporary position (12 months maternity cover) on Crick Terms and Conditions of employment within the Genetic Modification Service.

Details of the role:

As this is a practical position, the work is predominantly onsite, with limited remote working. The expected working pattern is 09:00-17:15, Monday-Thursday, and 09:00-17:00 on Fridays, however some out of hours working is required (e.g. earlier morning starts for IVFs, later finishes and weekend work for animal husbandry).

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. 

This role is within the BRF team. The Biological Research Facility (BRF) supports all animal research at the Crick through our comprehensive animal care and use programme. The BRF provides the Crick's laboratory animal resource and technical services. High quality multidisciplinary in-vivo and ex-vivo research support are at the heart of the BRF's philosophy and operations. The BRF is committed to improving animal welfare, scientific quality, care of staff and transparency for stakeholders.

The Genetic Modification Service (GeMS) is a unit within the BRF responsible for the generation, archiving and distribution of genetically modified animal models. Within GeMS, we use a wide-range of molecular biology, cell biology, embryology and animal husbandry techniques to provide a bespoke service to the scientific research groups using the BRF.

About the role… 

We are looking for a Senior Research Scientist to join the Biological Research Facility at the Crick for a 12-month maternity cover role.

If you have a degree or equivalent in a biological subject, related science or have done significant work experience in a relevant area, this may be a great opportunity to join the team.  

You will be joining an experienced team and have responsibility for the running of several aspects of the Transgenic Service within the Genetic Modification Services team. This will include the cryopreservation and rederivation of genetically altered animal models, and the gene delivery service. You will also direct the work of others and if appropriate line-manage GeMS Research  Scientists and Research Officers in their specific work area.

As a senior research scientist, your role will also involve maintaining agreed component of the service, to track and report on progress and seek to improve the service, for example through specialist training, by protocol development or by generating /or involvement in specific development projects. You will interact closely with the Head of  GeMS, GeMS Senior Managers and other Senior GeMs Research Scientists as well as scientists and staff across other labs at the Crick.

What you will be doing… 

As a Senior GeMS Research Scientist at the Crick, you will: 

• To lead on key aspects of the GeMS service, specifically cryopreservation, rederivation and gene delivery, working with skill and initiative, directing the work of others, setting standards for outcome and performance, troubleshooting, monitoring and improving procedures, to achieve the delivery of a specialist service, in support of scientific research at the Crick.
• To assist the Head of GeMS and GeMS Senior Managers in overseeing GEMS projects, working to deadlines, ensuring researchers are kept updated throughout.
• To look beyond the immediate work focus and show appreciation of the wider team objectives, collaborating across other work areas, undertaking reasonable work requests and when required participating in essential out of hour rota’s, ensuring effective service delivery.
• Training, developing and motivating staff to achieve overall best practice standards. Working to agreed protocols and operating in a culture of innovation to work to achieve and exceed the service’s goals, and enhance collaborations, while at all times being conscious of resourcing constraints and acting to achieve value for money.
• To review and update relevant documents where required, e.g., SOPs, COSHH, Risk assessments.
• To have awareness and application of all relevant health and safety legislation.

About you…  

You will bring… 

• A degree, or equivalent in a biological subject, or related science or significant work experience in a relevant area.
• Considerable relevant experience in Murine cryopreservation and ART, surgical experience, gene delivery, animal husbandry, colony management, project management and scientific service provision with a track record of achievement and demonstrable skill.
• Experience of contributing effectively to the work of a team, a flexible and cooperative approach to working with others.
• Experience with working with animal models.
• A proven track record for training staff to work to defined Standard Operational Procedures (SOP’s).
• Experience of interacting across different staff levels, able to confidently communicate scientific data and influence others.

To see the complete job description Click here.

To see more about team, click here.  

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 recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: weronika.kucala@crick.ac.uk

To find out more about life at the Crick click here.

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 with performance-linked progression. 

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