UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
🇬🇧London, England, United Kingdom15 hours ago
£42,694 – £42,694Full Time
MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist (LMS 2322)
Salary: £42,694 plus London allowance (£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, £1,800 in year three
3 years fixed term | Full time | Location: Hammersmith London
Closing Date: 14 June 2026
Overall purpose:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances, both synthetic and natural, that interfere with hormonal systems, harming organisms and ecosystems. Once in the soil, EDCs persist, bioaccumulate, and disrupt ecosystems, damaging organisms that play vital roles in soil health but little is known about the role of microbes in their bioavailability. The Host-Microbe Co-Metabolism group is tackling this challenge by developing novel high-throughput technologies for the fast identification of EDC-microbe interaction. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates genome engineering, invertebrate and vertebrate models of toxicity, quantitative high-throughput phenotyping and omics approaches. These systems support quantitative and mechanistic studies, allowing us to address questions across kingdoms (Pryor et al., Cell, 2019, Martinez et al 2025 Cell Systems). The ideal candidate will be highly motivated to develop new tools and methodologies to uncover regulatory principles of EDC action on the holobiont. The role offers opportunities to pursue independent research ideas within the lab’s core focus, with strong support for career development and scientific training.
We’re seeking a highly motivated and independent postdoctoral scientist with a strong proven background in molecular biology and organismal biology to develop new genetic tools and methodologies, to dissect and capture EDC function at scale and how they impact invertebrate and mammalian physiology. The role offers opportunities to pursue independent research ideas within the lab’s core focus, with strong support for career development and scientific training. We welcome applicants eager to join and contribute to a collaborative and multidisciplinary team environment.
Main duties / key responsibilities:
Design and conduct high-quality, independent research aligned with project aims
Critically analyse, interpret, and present experimental data with rigor and reproducibility
Stay up to date with relevant literature and integrate new findings and techniques into your research
Develop and refine experimental methods and protocols as needed
Participate fully in lab meetings, presenting research progress and contributing to discussions
Provide support and mentorship to students and junior researchers as required
Take part in journal clubs and internal seminar programmes
Present findings at national and international conferences (where appropriate)
Contribute to day-to-day lab operations and shared responsibilities
Collaborate effectively within the group and with external collaborators
Additional information:
Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant discipline, with a strong commitment to scientific excellence and teamwork.
This is an MRC Postdoctoral Scientist position to support post-doctoral training and help establish successful research scientists in their chosen field. During the fellowship tenure we are committed to provide mentorship for career development and improvement of communication skills. We also offer a highly attractive benefits package including competitive salary and salary pension scheme.
Person requirements
Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from the application):
Essential:
PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biology field (e.g., molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics)
Previous work experience required (will be assessed from the application and at the interview):
Essential:
Significant practical expertise in molecular biology techniques such as PCR, cloning, CRISPR/Cas9
Experience in design and/or generation and validation of new C. elegans strains. (eg. knockouts, reporters, epitope-tagging etc) and/or mammalian cell lines.
Significant practical expertise in C. elegans and/or 2D/3D mammalian cell culture techniques or mouse models.
Experience in modifying bacterial cells using genome engineering approaches
Experience in generating and/or analysing and integrating different high throughput sequencing data to study gene regulation, such RNA-seq
Experience in generating and/or analysing and integrating high-throughput sequencing data.
Desirable:
Significant practical expertise in C. elegans and/or 2D/3D mammalian cell culture techniques or mouse models.
Experience in modifying bacterial cells using genome engineering approaches
Experience in generating and/or analysing and integrating different high throughput sequencing data to study gene regulation, such RNA-seq
Experience in generating and/or analysing and integrating high-throughput sequencing data.
Knowledge and experience (will be assessed from the application and at the interview):
Essential:
Strong conceptual background and interest in at least one of the following areas: toxicology, pharmacology, physiology and host-microbe interactions, systems biology.
Excellent written communication skills in English
At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed international journal or available as a preprint
Experience presenting scientific data at national or international scientific conferences
Desirable:
Experience presenting scientific data at national or international scientific conferences
Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at interview):
Essential:
Enthusiastic and collaborative team player
Ability to conduct research independently, including the design, execution, and analysis of experiments
Eagerness to learn and acquire new skills, troubleshoot experiments, and apply creative approaches to scientific questions
Willingness to work flexible hours as needed by the project, and to travel for conferences or research collaborations
Excellent verbal communication skills in English
Additional information:
Applicants must submit 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
UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
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.
How we support EDI in the workforce
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.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
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.
As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.
