Programme Leader Track

Overall purpose:

To direct an internationally competitive research programme within the Neurobiology Division relevant to the Laboratory of Molecular Biology’s (LMB) research portfolio, drawing on the collaborative inputs and team-working of other colleagues both within and outside MRC.

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential:

• Demonstrated an ability to communicate science, both in writing and verbally.
• Experience of participating effectively in collaborations within home institute or externally.

Desirable: Experience of supervising team members effectively.

LMB) research portfolio, drawing on the collaborative inputs and team-working of other colleagues both within and outside MRC.

Main duties / key responsibilities:

• To develop and lead a programme of research with a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms that underpin neuronal function in health and/or disease (especially neurodegenerative conditions).
• Within this, to develop and apply appropriate cutting-edge molecular approaches, such as light and/or electron microscopic imaging and associated analytical procedures, that facilitates the exploration of normal and/or disease-relevant neuronal functions and molecular structures.
• To recruit and supervise a small team of PhD Students and Postdoctoral Fellows.
• To complete research projects in a timely manner and publish the results in leading scientific journals.
• To present the results of the research at national and international conferences.
• To contribute to LMB-wide activities relating to organisation of scientific activities and technological infrastructure.
• To contribute to scientific progress in the field as a whole by, for example, membership of expert committees, editing specialist journals, refereeing funding applications.
• To contribute to the MRC’s engagement with the public and to other public communications initiatives.
• To ensure that any intellectual property is protected and, where possible, translating the results of research into useful new approaches or treatments that improve human health.

Working relationships:

You will report to the Head of Division. As an independent Group Leader (Programme Leader Track) you will be expected to interact with Scientists and Support Staff within the Neurobiology Division and the rest of the LMB, and externally with members of the national and international research community.

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

Essential:

• A PhD in a relevant subject.
• Significant publication record in relevant fields with clear emphasis on quality.

Desirable: a MD in a relevant subject.

Previous work experience required:

Essential:

• Experience in neuronal cell biology with a strong emphasis on the development and application of molecular and/or structure-based approaches.
• Internationally successful work as a Postdoc on a relevant subject.
• Scientific excellence and potential for synergy by complementing our existing research programmes, both within the Division (encompassing neuronal molecular cell biology, neural circuits and simple behaviours, and the molecular/ cell biological basis of neurodegeneration) and across the wider LMB.

Desirable:

• Application of advanced techniques, for example imaging (light and/or electron microscopic) methods and associated analytical approaches, that facilitate the study of molecular processes and structures that underlie neuronal functions in normal and/or pathological states (especially neurodegenerative conditions).

Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• Research interests that complement the present and future science of the Division.
• Experience of planning and developing projects or programmes of work in the area of neuronal molecular cell biology.
• Ambitious and innovative research proposal.

Desirable:

• Evidence of expertise in molecular, imaging-based and/or structural approaches within neurobiology.
• Evidence of having influenced wider practice or knowledge in the field.

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential:

• Demonstrated an ability to communicate science, both in writing and verbally.
• Experience of participating effectively in collaborations within home institute or externally.

Desirable: Experience of supervising team members effectively.