Head of Structural Biology STP - London, United Kingdom - Francis Crick Institute

Description

Reports to: Science Technology Platforms Director

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

This job advert will remain open to new applications until a suitable candidate has been identified. Please submit your application at the earliest availability to ensure its receipt.

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

These include but are not limited to:

• 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

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online by the clicking the apply button in this advert.

Please submit your application at the earliest availability to ensure its receipt. This job advert will remain open until 5 May 2024, or until a suitable number of candidates have been selected to be interviewed.

If you would like an informal, confidential conversation before applying, please contact Elisabete Silva, Science Technology Platforms Director at

What we offer

We're not just an institute, we are the UK flagship for discovery research in biomedicine. In return for your hard work, dedication, and commitment, we offer:

• Salary: Upwards of £73k, subject to skills and experience
Annual Leave: 28 days of holiday each year, plus 3 additional days (usually taken between Christmas and New Year), plus bank holidays. We also offer an annual leave purchase scheme of up to an additional 5 days per year

• Pension: Defined contribution pension scheme, with the Crick contributing between 5% and 16% of your salary
• Life assurance: 4x your annual salary
• Health and Wellbeing: Onsite Occupational Health, Headspace App for you, your family or friends, to help you manage your wellbeing, as well as an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Socials and Networking: Host to over 1500 employees and students, from worldwide territories there is no shortage of social groups and events for you to attend
• Dining: On site subsidised restaurant tailored to your dietary requirements with plenty for you to choose from

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion At the Crick, we are committed to advancing in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and promote a workforce culture that represents the community we serve. We believe diversity drives scientific excellence and work to build an inclusive Crick culture where everyone can thrive. We welcome and encourageapplications from all backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. Discover more about EDI at the Crick. The Crick holds an Athena Swan Bronze Institutional Award in recognition of our advancement towards gender equality. Further information For more information on our great pay and benefits package Read more about Life at the Crick Visit our website and social media to learn more about who we are, what we do and be inspired by the outstanding breakthrough work we have done.

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