Postdoctoral Fellow

Salary for this Role:

Salary from £45,500 per annum plus benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow

Reports to:

Maximiliano Gutierrez

Closing Date:

17/Jul/2025 23.59 GMT

Job Description:

Postdoctoral Fellow – Gutierrez Lab

Reports to:      Maximiliano G. Gutierrez

Contact term: Fixed term (4 years) on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy. 

Research group

Our group is interested in host and pathogen interactions in tuberculosis with a focus on innate immunity and phagocytosis. We are interested in understanding how M. tuberculosis survives within host cells and the mechanisms that host cells use to eliminate intracellular M. tuberculosis.

About the role

In our lab, we study how host cells environments dictate intracellular bacteria replication or control and how antibacterial chemotherapies impact efficacy. We are interested in developing new technologies to dissect the complex dynamics of mycobacterial infection across scales ranging from single bacteria, single host cells, 3D in vitro models to infected hosts. We have developed new imaging technologies to visualise the interface between the host and the pathogen.

Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.

You will bring

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, open, collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

• PhD in cell biology or in the final stages of PhD submission

• Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in referred journals

• Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

• Excellent communication skills, particularly in communicating quantitative concepts to biologists

• Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting within a group

• Demonstrate continuous integrity, positivity and motivate others to do the same

• Multi modal live imaging and mammalian cell biology

• Hands-on experience in imaging

• Strong understanding of image analysis

Desirable

• Experience with relevant software tools such as R, Python, or MATLAB as well as relevant machine learning frameworks

• Experience in statistical data analysis, and expertise in areas such as experimental design, linear/nonlinear models, data mining, Bayesian methods, and statistical learning

About Working at the Crick

Our values  

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! 

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. 

• We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. 

• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. 

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email:

weronika.kucala@crick.ac.uk

To find out more about life at the Crick click here.

What will you receive?  

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development: 

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK 

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays. 

• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%. 

• Health & Well-being: 

• 24/7 GP consultation services. 

• Occupational health services and mental health support programs. 

• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans. 

• Work-Life Balance: 

• Back-up care for dependents. 

• Childcare support allowance. 

• Annual leave purchase options. 
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.

• Perks: 

• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. 

• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.