Postdoctoral Research Scientist

MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Gut-Brain-Immune Axis (LMS 

Salary: £42,694 plus London allowances £5,560 per annum*

*Additional allowances comprise a £1,000 lump sum Settlement Allowance plus a yearly Training Allowance of £850 in the first year, paid in monthly instalments. The Training Allowance increases to £1,300 in year two, and £1,800 in the third year.

3 years Fixed term contract | Full time | Closing date: 7 June 2026 

Overall purpose:

The Endocrine Signalling in Inflammation group investigates how gut hormones and related peptides modulate systemic inflammation via the gut-brain-immune axis. Leveraging the MRC LMS core facilities, we combine in vivo models, multi-scale phenotyping, and omics to map the pathways governing organ crosstalk and translate them into new strategies for managing chronic conditions, with a current focus on diseases driven by immunometabolic dysfunction.

We are seeking a talented Postdoctoral Scientist with expertise in Physiology or Neuroscience to join our team. As a key member, you will lead efforts to map the specific neural pathways through which these endocrine signals coordinate systemic inflammatory responses. Specifically, you will apply advanced in vivo techniques, such as intracranial surgery and peripheral nerve manipulation, within transgenic mouse models to decipher how gut hormones and related peptides regulate peripheral immunity via the nervous systems.

At our newly established lab, we are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We value diversity and collaboration and focus on conducting cutting-edge basic and translational science. At the LMS, we also offer excellent mentoring and support to help you reach your career goals. As a post holder, you will have the opportunity to work with an extensive network of collaborators, attend scientific conferences, and publish the results of your work in refereed journals. To provide the adequate scientific environment for your career progression, you will be embedded within the research group headed by Dr. Chi Kin Wong (https://ckwonglab.github.io), alongside a vibrant community of researchers specializing in metabolism, immunology, and chronic disease translation.

Key skills:

• Background in Physiology or Neuroscience is required

• Experience in designing and executing complex, longitudinal in vivo mouse models (e.g. dietary or inflammatory studies using transgenic models) is required

• Experience in mouse survival surgery (e.g. intracranial surgeries or peripheral nerve manipulations) is essential 

• The ability to adapt across disciplines and the drive to establish novel techniques is essential

 

Main Responsibilities:

• To lead in vivo research projects investigating how gut hormones and related peptides modulate inflammation via the gut-brain-immune axis

• To manage animal colonies

• To collaborate closely with other members of the team on various projects

• To prepare work for publication and grant submissions

• To present at seminars and conferences as necessary

• To co-supervise MSc and PhD students

• To contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s/Unit’s laboratories and facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories

• To comply with the Institute, College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate

• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division

 

Person requirements

Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from the application form): 

Essential: 

• PhD (or equivalent) in Physiology, Neuroscience, or a closely related Biomedical Science discipline

   

   

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview): 

Essential: 

• Proven track record of leading independent research projects from hypothesis generation to data interpretation

• Extensive experience designing and executing complex, longitudinal in vivo mouse models (e.g., transgenic, dietary, or inflammatory models)

• Demonstrated record of high-quality research through first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals

Desirable:

• Experience collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams to achieve shared research objectives

Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from the application form and at the interview):

Essential:

• A theoretical understanding of endocrine signalling, immunometabolism, and/or neural regulation of physiology

• Competency in mouse handling, colony management, and standard dosing routes

• Specific experience in mouse intracranial surgeries or peripheral nerve manipulations for gene silencing and/or chemogenetics

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with a proven ability to prepare manuscripts for publication and present scientific data effectively at seminars

Desirable:

• Specific experience in histological and high-resolution microscopy analyses of the mouse brain

• Specific experience relevant to mouse studies of neural regulation of physiology (e.g. in vivo dietary or inflammatory models, metabolic phenotyping techniques)

 

Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview):

Essential:

• Ability to conduct reproducible research

• Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature

• Ability to develop and apply new concepts

• Creative approach to problem-solving

• A keen interest in learning new skills

• Excellent verbal communication skills in English and the ability to deal with a wide range of people

• Ability to motivate others to produce a high standard of work

• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision

• Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines

• Advanced computer skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets and the internet

• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative

• Flexible attitude towards work

• Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times

• Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role

 

Additional information: 

Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.

Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff

 

 

 

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More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

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At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

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Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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