VIEW VACANCY - RESEARCH SUPPORT OFFICER - NEUROBIOLOGY - DR JOERGEN KORNFELD - LMB 2696

Open Date
21/08/2025, 09:00
Close Date
18/09/2025, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Research Institute / Unit Information
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 protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, 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.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new 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.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band

MRC - 4/5

Location
Cambridge
Salary
Band 5 £30,911 - £35,346, Band 4 £40,832 - £45,589 per annum
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Job Type
Science
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time
Contract Length
2 years
Job Description

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING REQUIRED:

Essential:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in biology or biochemistry or a related subject.
Desirable:
Relevant laboratory experience, ideally in an electron microscopy laboratory.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Basic laboratory bench work skills including safe use of chemicals, preparation of buffers and other reagents, sterile technique, lab safety, and routine analytic calculations.
• Experience or theoretical knowledge of basic wet lab biology skills/techniques including pH measurements.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in the field of electron microscopy, particular emphasis on sample preparation (perfusion, tissue dissection, heavy-metal staining), ideally experience with volume EM.
• Experience in lab organisation, management, and set up.

VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable:

• Experience of giving presentations on scientific research
• Has made contributions to scientific papers.

PERSONAL SKILLS / BEHAVIOURS / QUALITIES:

• Reliability and enthusiasm.
• Strong organisational skills. Methodical and thorough.
• Passion for science and a desire to continue to develop skills and knowledge.
• Proactive in seeking solutions to problems and keen to take responsibility.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING REQUIRED:

Essential:
Master’s degree, or equivalent, in biology or biochemistry or a related subject.
Desirable:
Relevant skills and experience of working in a laboratory role, particularly in the area of electron microscopy with a focus on volume electron microscopy.
PhD in biological subject.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Competent, independent bench working skills including safe use of chemicals, preparation of buffers and other reagents, sterile technique, lab safety, and routine analytic calculations.
• Experience or theoretical knowledge of basic wet lab biology skills/techniques including pH measurements.
• Previous experience in the field of electron microscopy, particular emphasis on sample preparation and volume electron microscopy (perfusion, tissue dissection, heavy-metal staining).

Desirable:

• Experience in lab organisation, management, and set up, for example work in an EM facility.

VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience of giving presentations.

Desirable:

• Has made contributions to scientific papers.

PERSONAL SKILLS / BEHAVIOURS / QUALITIES:

• Reliability and enthusiasm.
• Strong organisational skills. Methodical and thorough.
• Passion for science and a desire to continue to develop skills and knowledge.
• Proactive in seeking solutions to problems and keen to take responsibility.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
  Further Information

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.
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As “Disability Confident” employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
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.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. 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.

OVERALL PURPOSE:

To work within the group of Dr Joergen Kornfeld at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), providing research support for a programme investigating electron microscopy-based connectomics for learned behaviours.

MAIN DUTIES/ KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To assist with basic research by setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
• To perform tasks arranged by your supervisor including: basic wet laboratory work, purchasing and organising chemicals, ordering of specified equipment, basic computational tasks and data analysis.
• To organise and communicate information from the above tasks to your supervisor.
• To conduct literature and database searches.
• To contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• To ensure and maintain an efficient and tidy Laboratory.
  Work with both your supervisor and other members of the project team on the above support tasks.
  To ensure that all tasks are carried in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local polices and legal requirements.
  To contribute to the smooth running of the research group, including the effective use of resources, training of others and taking responsibility for use of communal facilities.

OVERALL PURPOSE:

To work within the group of Dr Joergen Kornfeld at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), providing research support for a programme investigating electron microscopy-based connectomics for learned behaviours.

MAIN DUTIES/ KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To assist with basic research by planning, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
• To perform tasks guided by your supervisor including wet laboratory work, purchasing and organising chemicals, ordering of specified equipment, computational tasks and data analysis.
• To present information on research progress and outcomes as appropriate.
• To conduct literature and database searches.
• To contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• To ensure and maintain an efficient and tidy Laboratory.
  To plan and manage your experimental work within the project along with your supervisor and other members of the project team.
  To contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication.
  To ensure the research is carried in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local polices and legal requirements.
  To contribute to the smooth running of the research group, including the effective use of resources, training of others and taking responsibility for use of communal facilities.

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 polic