Senior Laboratory Research Scientist

Key information

Job Title: Senior Laboratory Research Scientist

Details of the role:

Reporting to: Michael Winding (Group Leader) and Lucia Prieto-Godino (Group Leader)

Working pattern: This is a full-time, Fixed term 2 year position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Salary: From £47,080 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

Application closing date: 7th of May 2026 at 23.59pm

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.

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 which 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.

About the role

We are looking for a motivated scientist with advanced expertise in cutting edge electron microscopy sample preparation and nanoscale connectomics. This joint role (75:25 across the Winding and Prieto‑Godino Labs) will focus on coordinating EM sample preparation of fruit fly larvae and working as a superuser within the EM STP led by Lucy Collinson.

The Social Circuits and Connectomics Lab studies how social experience and neurodevelopmental genes facilitate group behaviour in the fruit fly larva.

https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/michael-winding

The Neural Circuits and Evolution lab studies how neural circuits evolve to generate diverse behaviours across species.

https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/lucia-prieto-godino

Both groups use connectomics, behavioural experiments, functional imaging, and RNA sequencing to answer these questions.

Depending on the experiment, you will be involved in initial behavioural characterisation/genotyping, fixation/staining, embedding in resin, µCT imaging, and trimming of samples in preparation for enhanced FIB-SEM imaging. Follow up work may involve generating ground truth for automated segmentation or synapse prediction models, segmentation proofreading, and circuit analysis.

There may also be opportunities to develop an independent project or contribute to additional research areas such as expansion‑microscopy‑based connectomics, behavioural assays, or light‑microscopy‑based imaging.

As a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist at the Crick, you’ll play a key role in supporting ongoing research, collaborating across projects, providing technical expertise, developing methodologies, managing long‑term investigations, training lab members, and contributing to group meetings and scientific activities.

What you will be doing

You will:

• EM sample preparation and staining

• µCT or synchrotron imaging of stained samples

• Trimming samples in preparation for eFIB-SEM imaging

• Working with external collaborators

• Assisting in proofreading of automated segmentation/synapse prediction models

• Managing time between the two groups

Please see full job description here

About you

You will have:

• PhD in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience*

• Extensive experience in EM staining and working with large-scale EM datasets*

• Ability to prioritise and manage own time

• Ability to communicate and present data

• Experience in training/mentoring others

• Experience facilitating collaborations

Minimum criteria*

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 are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and 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: karen.au@crick.ac.uk

Find out more about life at the Crick.

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.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. 

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.