Molecular biologist - Experimental Systems Biologist – Functional Genomics and Cellular Systems

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the UK's safety and security by applying your scientific knowledge in this defence-critical area.

Join our multidisciplinary engineering biology team to design and execute experiments to generate biological datasets and develop mechanistic insights into cellular regulation. You will work closely with the computational systems biologist to apply modern genetics, functional genomics, and cellular biology approaches to systematically test biological variations and measure their phenotypic consequences. This work will establish the experimental foundation for AI-driven biological discovery by creating datasets that connect genetic variation to cellular behaviour. Areas of work including; Functional Genomics and Cellular Phenotyping in a collaborative approach with in silico scientists.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

In this role you will:

Work closely with computational and systems biologists to design model-informed experiments, develop biological hypotheses for testing, and generate high-quality, reproducible datasets that support advanced data analysis and machine learning applications

For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.

• An experienced molecular biology researcher, with a proven ability to deliver high-quality scientific outputs, solve complex technical challenges, and contribute effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• You will will possess strong communication skills, enabling them to present evidence based findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• You will have substantial practical experience in molecular biology and be proficient in the application of a range of laboratory techniques and methodologies to support innovative research and development activities, including but not limited to the approaches listed below.

• CRISPR/Cas technologies
• Synthetic biology approaches
• Cell line generation and validation
• Cell culture or microbial engineering
• Functional genomics
• Gene expression analysis and other gene function assays e.g. ChIP-seq
• Statistical analysis
• Experimental design

Please see full job description below

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For this role Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

Job contact :

• Name : Dstl Recruitment
• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

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