Head of Structural Biology STP
| Posting date: | 24 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £73,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | with benefits, subject to skills and experience |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 May 2024 |
| Location: | London, UK |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | The Francis Crick Institute |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | R1498 |
Summary
The Crick organises access to high-end equipment and related technical expertise, for all its scientists, through our Science Technology Platforms (STP). Overall, there are 18 world-class STPs, ranging from cell services and biological research facilities, to high throughput screening, advanced sequencing and bioinformatics. These core facilities are crucial for the success of our research and represent a major investment by the Francis Crick Institute.
The Crick is looking to recruit an expert with an international reputation to lead and manage our world-leading Structural Biology STP. The Head of the Structural Biology STP will support research at the Francis Crick Institute by leading a multidisciplinary technology core facility which, in collaboration with Crick research groups, aims to describe and characterise the structure of individual proteins and protein complexes to help understand mechanisms behind human disease.
The STP currently employs 20 specialist staff. They provide specialised protein expression and purification, biophysics analysis and characterisation, and structure determination (x-Ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy) to approximately 35 research groups.
The successful candidate will support a large and dynamic group of Crick researchers by fostering collaborations and providing scientific and technical support. They will coordinate and manage the different core facilities within the STP (protein expression and purification, biophysics, x-Ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy) ensuring they work in a cohesive, collaborative and successful way, thereby contributing to high quality research, outputs and societal impacts.
Key responsibilities
Managing and leading a state-of-the-art Structural Biology core facility with cutting edge technology and a proactive approach to technology development.
Providing scientific expertise and leadership in performing and delivering an excellent and timely service to scientific users within the Crick.
Developing a long-term strategy for providing world class Structural Biology capabilities and to establish and supervise collaborative projects with Crick Research Group Leaders.
Supporting the development of the Cryo-electron microscopy facility to accommodate the increasing demand and complexity of research projects.
Participating in scientific discussions and brainstorming regarding experimental design, and new technological development and innovation in the different areas of structural biology (protein synthesis, biophysics, x-Ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy), thereby ensuring the Platform remains at the leading edge to support scientific discovery.
Providing expertise and training to researchers and research support staff at the Crick and partner organisations.
Evaluating new techniques and instrumentation within the different fields in structural biology and implementing them into the STP when appropriate to maintain a cutting-edge facility.
Improving financial planning, compliance, and other administrative aspects of research projects.
Collaborating with other Crick researchers on long-range plans for innovative projects.
Maintaining continuing professional development as an active member of the scientific community by writing scientific articles, manuscripts, and reports for the research platform, as well as presenting research findings at scientific meetings and/or conferences.
Key experience and competencies
To be successful in this role you will have experience in leading a core facility of a similar nature and bring a clear vision and strategic approach to the development of the STP. You will embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open and collegial, in addition to the following qualifications, experience and competencies:
Essential
PhD (or equivalent experience level), in relevant scientific discipline (i.e. biophysics, crystallography, structural biology, biochemistry) and a strong track record in academic or industrial structural biology research
Extensive experience in research services
Broad evidence of excellence and recognition as a facility leader
Management experience in leading a facility or equivalent service unit
Ability to demonstrate senior management and leadership capability and skills
The candidate must demonstrate an open-minded approach to new directions and development in the life sciences
Ability to carry out goal-driven technological development projects while maintaining an excellent level of support to institute researchers
Excellent communication skills facilitating outreach to STP users and the ability to understand different user needs
Extensive experience of delivering output as part of collaborative projects
Significant expertise in Cryo-electron microscopy
The Crick is looking to recruit an expert with an international reputation to lead and manage our world-leading Structural Biology STP. The Head of the Structural Biology STP will support research at the Francis Crick Institute by leading a multidisciplinary technology core facility which, in collaboration with Crick research groups, aims to describe and characterise the structure of individual proteins and protein complexes to help understand mechanisms behind human disease.
The STP currently employs 20 specialist staff. They provide specialised protein expression and purification, biophysics analysis and characterisation, and structure determination (x-Ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy) to approximately 35 research groups.
The successful candidate will support a large and dynamic group of Crick researchers by fostering collaborations and providing scientific and technical support. They will coordinate and manage the different core facilities within the STP (protein expression and purification, biophysics, x-Ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy) ensuring they work in a cohesive, collaborative and successful way, thereby contributing to high quality research, outputs and societal impacts.
Key responsibilities
Managing and leading a state-of-the-art Structural Biology core facility with cutting edge technology and a proactive approach to technology development.
Providing scientific expertise and leadership in performing and delivering an excellent and timely service to scientific users within the Crick.
Developing a long-term strategy for providing world class Structural Biology capabilities and to establish and supervise collaborative projects with Crick Research Group Leaders.
Supporting the development of the Cryo-electron microscopy facility to accommodate the increasing demand and complexity of research projects.
Participating in scientific discussions and brainstorming regarding experimental design, and new technological development and innovation in the different areas of structural biology (protein synthesis, biophysics, x-Ray crystallography and Cryo-electron microscopy), thereby ensuring the Platform remains at the leading edge to support scientific discovery.
Providing expertise and training to researchers and research support staff at the Crick and partner organisations.
Evaluating new techniques and instrumentation within the different fields in structural biology and implementing them into the STP when appropriate to maintain a cutting-edge facility.
Improving financial planning, compliance, and other administrative aspects of research projects.
Collaborating with other Crick researchers on long-range plans for innovative projects.
Maintaining continuing professional development as an active member of the scientific community by writing scientific articles, manuscripts, and reports for the research platform, as well as presenting research findings at scientific meetings and/or conferences.
Key experience and competencies
To be successful in this role you will have experience in leading a core facility of a similar nature and bring a clear vision and strategic approach to the development of the STP. You will embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open and collegial, in addition to the following qualifications, experience and competencies:
Essential
PhD (or equivalent experience level), in relevant scientific discipline (i.e. biophysics, crystallography, structural biology, biochemistry) and a strong track record in academic or industrial structural biology research
Extensive experience in research services
Broad evidence of excellence and recognition as a facility leader
Management experience in leading a facility or equivalent service unit
Ability to demonstrate senior management and leadership capability and skills
The candidate must demonstrate an open-minded approach to new directions and development in the life sciences
Ability to carry out goal-driven technological development projects while maintaining an excellent level of support to institute researchers
Excellent communication skills facilitating outreach to STP users and the ability to understand different user needs
Extensive experience of delivering output as part of collaborative projects
Significant expertise in Cryo-electron microscopy