From £47,080 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
GeMS Senior Research Scientist - Transgenic Services
Ben Davies
04/Oct/2026 23.59 GMT
Reporting to: Ben Davies, Head of GeMS
Contract term: This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
As a predominantly practical role, the position is primarily based onsite, with limited opportunities for remote working. The standard working pattern is 09:00–17:15 Monday to Thursday and 09:00–17:00 on Fridays. Flexibility is required to support the needs of the service, including occasional early starts for procedures such as IVF, later finishes and some weekend working associated with animal husbandry and experimental programmes.
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.
The Biological Research Facility (BRF) supports all animal research at the Crick through our comprehensive animal care and use program. 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 BRF teams integrate husbandry of multiple species within a range of facilities, using state of the art technologies, via a talented and skilled team.
Within the BRF, the Genetic Modification Services (GeMS) team provides specialist expertise in the production, storage and use of genetically modified animals and cell lines. The team delivers a broad range of services, including molecular biology and CRISPR-based targeting, embryo micromanipulation and transfer, assisted reproductive techniques, cryopreservation and rederivation of rodent and aquatic germplasm, and murine stem cell culture, maintenance, transfection, derivation and characterisation.
As a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist within the GeMS team, you will play a key role in delivering, developing and continuously improving specialist services that support the generation, archiving and use of genetically altered animal models at the Crick. Working closely with the Head of Service, GeMS Senior Managers and Laboratory Research Scientists, you will also build strong collaborative relationships with scientists and colleagues across the Crick, the BRF AND external and partner services.
This is a hands-on scientific leadership role, combining practical laboratory work with responsibility for service development, project management and the supervision and direction of colleagues. You will take ownership of an agreed area of the GeMS service, overseeing delivery, monitoring progress and identifying opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency and capability through protocol development, specialist training and participation in innovative development projects. Where appropriate, you will also provide day-to-day leadership and line management to Laboratory Research Scientists and Laboratory Research Officers, supporting their development and contributing to a positive, collaborative team environment.
A particular focus of this role will be the scientific oversight and delivery of cryopreservation, rederivation and colony management programmes. You will contribute your expertise to ensuring the long-term preservation, health and integrity of genetically altered lines, while helping to develop and refine the approaches and technologies used by the service. You will join an experienced and highly skilled team where your scientific expertise, practical skills and ideas will have a direct impact on the quality and effectiveness of the GeMS service and the research it enables across the Crick.
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open and collegial.
*Minimum criteria
Please see the full job description here.
Click here to find out more about the department.
Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!
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: weronika.kucala@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:
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.
The Crick is a distinctive biomedical research institute. We’re committed to advancing, promoting, and sharing understanding of human health and disease. We do that by attracting talented and ambitious people from all disciplines and backgrounds and giving them the support and freedom they need to succeed.
Inside the Crick, you’ll discover scientists working to stretch the very limits of what we know about how life works. Their research holds the key to answering fundamental questions about human health and disease. Our bold and innovative research projects bring together scientists and technicians from all disciplines in the pursuit of discovery without boundaries.
With the support of our partners, we’re bridging the gap between discovery and application to help change lives for the better. And through our dynamic structure, we’re able to develop the science leaders of tomorrow.
That’s our bold idea, tell us yours.
Cover image taken at the Crick by Thomas Angus, Imperial College London.
