Job Description

Senior Laboratory Research Scientist Reports to: Head of Making Lab STP

This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

The Making Lab is a Science Technology Platform (STP) working at the interface of engineering and biology with a multidisciplinary team. We combine approaches from engineering and biomedical research to develop innovative devices and help answer complex research questions. Working in collaboration with Crick\'s groups across key areas of research in Cancer, Development, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Neuroscience, Structural Biology, Bioengineering, our aim is to support the development of biomedical projects with a strong technological focus. Within the state-of-the-art Crick\'s research facilities, the Making Lab provides access and training to cutting-edge technology and expertise in three main areas: Microfluidics and biomaterials, Electronics and Optics, Mechanics and Manufacturing.

The Making Lab aims to be a creative and collaborative space, working closely with Crick groups, other STPs and partner universities to exchange skills, ideas, and techniques. As part of the global Making in Research culture, we believe it is fundamental to bring world class innovative prototyping and programming methods, as well as training scientists in DIY rapid prototyping.

Role summary

We are seeking a bold, open, and collegial individual to manage DIY and collaborative projects within the Making Lab at the Francis Crick Institute.

The successful candidate will provide manufacturing, electrical and mechanical engineering expertise to address biomedical challenges in joint projects with Crick research groups. This role will have a particular emphasis on system engineering, with the opportunity for the postholder to apply their experience in electronics and programming in overseeing entire system engineering projects. Furthermore, this role will encompass the application of various design and engineering resources available at the STP, such as 2D and 3D modelling, CAM, micro and macro manufacturing, and moulding, to wide range of projects.

The successful applicant will be responsible for integrative design and manufacturing processes and work closely with research groups on the design and execution of experiments. They will design and implement methods to enable testing of system performance and use this data to oversee iterative improvement loops for system optimisation. The role is ideally suited for a creative individual with a strong interest in technology development and the ambition to independently drive forward projects. The candidate will provide expertise and support to Crick\'s groups, work on multidisclinary projects to develop innovative technologies and tools and train users of the Making Lab. The candidate will work closely with multiple groups and STPs as well as the translation team within the Crick, providing rich opportunities for further scientific and professional development.

The applicant will be expected to show great collaboration skills, combined with the passion to develop new approaches, challenge ideas, and iterate quickly to deliver outstanding support to Crick groups and STPs.

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

• Implement state-of-the-art 3D design and manufacturing approaches for production of mechanical assemblies using manufacturing techniques such as CNC micro-milling, additive and subtractive manufacturing, micro- manufacturing.
• Implement electronics and software approaches to build bespoke set up for real-time feedback experiments.
• Provide experimental data and research analysis to support the development of a range of products and applications.
• Organisation of the mechanic and manufacturing activity within the Making Lab, including stock management and training.
• Initiate, develop, and lead, on the STP side, projects in collaboration with Crick\'s labs, reporting regularly to the head of Making lab and the Group Leader.
• Manage projects independently to ensure the aims are achieved with appropriate quality standards, timescales and cost, and key stakeholders are kept informed.
• Contribute to the dissemination of scientific results by means of writing papers for publication, presenting orally and in poster form at external meetings, and making them available on the STP Open Access platform.
• Teaching and training of Crick researchers on our variety of equipment related to their area of expertise. Running inductions to introduce new Francis Crick staff (e.g. PhD students).
• Maintaining equipment to ensure smooth operation, re-stocks consumables, contribute to maintaining a healthy & safe working environment.
• Attend and present results at lab meetings. Report on a regular basis to the head of Making Lab. Contribute to the broader range of activities within the Making Lab.
• Maintenance of significant up-to-date knowledge of relevant literature, communication of key developments to other lab members and the institute, implementation of new techniques to own research.
• Provide research advice and assist other colleagues in project scoping, technical choice, make vs. buy decisions, sustainability planning.

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

• PhD degree in mechanics, electronics, engineering, or similar discipline OR equivalent experience in these fields.
• Experience in several of the following areas: computer aided design (3D CAD) software, CAM programming for CNC manufacturing, additive manufacturing, material science, microfabrication.
• Experience in some of the following areas: micro-controller based systems, electronic circuit design, embedded software and GUIs.
• Experience in developing and managing multidisciplinary and collaborative projects within a team.
• Self-accountability for the effective management of risk and safety measures.
• Outstanding problem solving, time management, decision making and project management skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts effectively.
• Evidence of producing project reports, publishing and presenting research achievements at conferences and similar events.

Desirable

• Experience of working at the interface between biology and engineering.
• Experience in optics.
• Experience with data-driven process optimisation.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute\'s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices. Read more on our website:

Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute\'s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website:

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