Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£42,694 plus London allowances of £5,560 per annum. Additional allowances include a £1,000 lump sum Settlement Allowance plus a yearly Training Allowance of £850 in the first year, increasing to £1,300 in year two and £1,800 in year three.

About the Role
The Sarkisyan lab, based at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, is a team of six focused on designing novel plant traits. The role involves advancing plant synthetic biology, plant transformation, and plant tissue culture experiments. The lab aims to develop increasingly complex traits ranging from crop protection to aesthetic applications, translating basic science discoveries into real-world technologies and products.

Key responsibilities include planning and conducting research, developing and applying new techniques, data collection and analysis, maintaining accurate records, writing reports and publications, presenting findings at conferences, and providing guidance to staff and students. The role requires active participation in the group’s research programme, collaboration with scientists within UKRI and external institutions, and contributing to the smooth running of the laboratory facilities.

The postholder will also assist in supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, comply with safety and institutional policies, and undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by the Head of Group or Institute.

Experience
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in research, industrial or commercial settings.
- One first-author research article (not a review) in a peer-reviewed journal or preprint.
- Knowledge and practical experience in plant biology or molecular biology.

About you
- Ability to conduct detailed literature reviews and develop new concepts.
- Creative problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including scientific publication.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work independently.
- Advanced computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, and internet use.
- Willingness to work cooperatively as part of a team with an open-minded and flexible attitude.
- Discipline, confidentiality, and security awareness.
- Willingness to undertake necessary training and travel within the UK and abroad.
- Flexibility to work outside normal hours, including weekends, if required.

Qualifications
- Essential: PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field.