Research Group Leader | Structural Studies | LMB 3024

£67,979 to £89,511 per annum

Overall purpose:

To lead an internationally competitive research programme at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) that addresses long-term fundamental biological questions through the study of macromolecular structure at the molecular and/or cellular scales. You will draw on the knowledge and expertise of other colleagues both within and outside the LMB through collaborative inputs and team working. Your research programme should be suitably ambitious to take full advantage of the outstanding and stable research environment at the LMB.

Main duties/ Key responsibilities:

•    To develop and lead a programme of research that addresses long-term fundamental biological questions through the study of macromolecular structure at the molecular and/or cellular scales.
•    Areas of interest include discovery biology and/or methods development, using experimental and/or computational approaches. 
•    To publish the work of the group in appropriate internationally visible scientific journals and other relevant media.
•    To present the results of the research at national and international meetings and conferences.
•    To recruit, train and line manage group members.
•    To manage the financial and equipment resources of the group including purchasing and managing the effective use of capital equipment.
•    To translate the results of research into useful new approaches or treatments that improve human health.
•    To contribute to the MRC’s engagement with the public and in particular to communicate the excitement of research to the public and taxpayer.
•    To ensure that any intellectual property is protected for the benefit of the country and the world.
•    Planning the scientific direction of the research programme aimed at key questions within the overall scientific remit of the Structural Studies Division; being accountable for presenting the programme for peer review in accordance with MRC funding procedures.
•    Directing the activities of the research group by supervising some projects personally and overseeing projects delegated to group members. The post holder will be expected to provide the intellectual energy and independent thinking necessary to lead a programme of cutting-edge research and to shape the overall aims and success of the group.
•    Disseminating the research output from the group by publication of results, presentations at scientific meetings and responding to media enquiries.
•    Determining, obtaining and managing the resource requirements to sustain the programme, including the staffing structure required for taking forward the programme of research.
•    Taking responsibility for the recruitment, management, training and career development of group members, including line management and performance management, in accordance with the MRC’s policies and procedures.
•    Generating and managing collaborations both within the Division and LMB and with external establishments.
•    Recognising and acting on opportunities for the creation of intellectual property and cooperating in patent protection and in exploitation.
•    Contributing to the MRC’s commitment in the areas of training, enhancing public awareness of scientific issues, interaction with academic and health service providers and commercial exploitation where appropriate.
•    Maintaining a broad balanced and informed perspective of current scientific issues especially those pertaining directly to the field of research.
•    Contributing to scientific progress in the field as a whole by, for example, membership of expert committees, editing specialist journals, refereeing funding applications.
•    Contributing to public communications initiatives in order to facilitate greater public engagement with science.
•    Ensuring the research is conducted in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local policies and legal requirements.

Working relationships:

You will report to the Joint Heads of Division. As an independent Research Group Leader, you will interact with scientists and support staff at all levels within Structural Studies and the LMB, and externally with senior personnel in the national and international research community, including research institutes, funding bodies and commercial companies.

Additional information:

Appointment will be made as a Research Group Leader or Research Group Leader Tenure Track. Research Group Leader Tenure Track appointments will be made for those who have demonstrated the potential to develop into tenured Research Group Leaders within six years.

Candidates with appropriate levels of experience may be given responsibility for oversight of core scientific activities with the LMB.

Person Requirements

Education / qualifications / training required:

Essential: Ph.D. in a relevant subject

Desirable: Significant track record with clear emphasis on quality rather than quantity, with relevance to the main aims of the post.

Previous work experience required:

Essential: Independent and internationally successful work on a relevant subject.

Knowledge and experience:

Essential: 
•    Has innovative ideas to address long-term fundamental biological questions through the study of macromolecular structure at the molecular and/or cellular scales.
•    Can demonstrate that the proposed research meshes well with the present and future science of the Division.
•    Can demonstrate scientific innovation, enabling apparently intractable problems to be successfully tackled and overcome.
•    Demonstrates, through track record of publications and other outputs, an ability to initiate and solve challenging and important questions in structural, molecular and cell biology.

Desirable: 
•    Successful delivery of projects from the proposal stage through to completion. 
•    Evidence of having influenced knowledge or wider practice in the field.
•    Experience of providing the critical thinking required to create and run an independent research programme.

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities:

Essential: 
•    Proactive and creative independent thinker.
•    Ability to lead people within a research group in an inspiring manner, strong skills in working with staff of different levels.
•    Tenacity and resilience.

Additional information:

We are looking for a dynamic individual who values the uniquely collaborative and collegial environment of the LMB and the Division.

Applications should include a CV with a full publication list and a 3-page research proposal describing ambitious long-term goals.

Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI: 
•    Code of Conduct
•    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
•    Health and Safety policy
•    Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal.  Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.  

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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.

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.

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably X-ray crystallography of proteins, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. 

The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.

There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.

Our state-of-the-art laboratory provides an unsurpassed environment for both young and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation.

The LMB is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions. The LMB is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the LMB name brings. The LMB is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Choosing to come to work at the LMB (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the LMB and UKRI on your CV in the future.

We actively support equality, diversity and inclusion in all our activities, processes and culture. We encourage applications from all sections of society irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. We are a disability inclusive employer and encourage disabled people to apply for this role. You are very welcome to contact us for information about the application process and any adjustments you may require; recruit@mrclmb.ac.uk.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.