LMS 2524 Head of Metabolomics

Overall purpose:

The aim of the post is to ensure research at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) is supported by state-of-the-art technology and expertise in metabolomics. The post holder will lead a team of scientists in the Metabolomics Facility. Using world class mass spectrometry resources, the post-holder will work collaboratively with research groups throughout the LMS to support their studies. In addition, the post-holder will be responsible for maintaining and developing cutting-edge techniques and approaches required to carry out metabolomics-based research within the Institute, providing a high-quality service to all users including appropriate support and training.

Main duties:

• Responsible for developing a long-term strategy for providing world-class mass spectrometry based metabolomic capabilities at the LMS
• To maintain and run a state-of-the-art Metabolomics Facility, which meets the needs of the LMS, including a service to users
• To work collaboratively with other research groups in the LMS in addressing major research questions. This will often involve work at the cutting edge of the technology, where high level technical expertise in metabolomics is required and the post holder will be expected to bring skill and rigour to their part of the collaboration to match the input from the collaborators on the biological problem under investigation
• To supervise the efficient operation of the Metabolomics Facility. This will involve line management of 2 to 3 members of staff, including the provision of training in sample preparation, instrument maintenance and operation and data processing and analysis. The post holder will be expected to oversee the quality of the service, its cost effectiveness and the appropriate use of its resources
• To train students, postdoctoral scientists and others in the use of metabolomic techniques, sample preparation, data analysis, and appropriate experimental design
• Be responsible for the development of new methods and implementation of existing methods and protocols within the facility. Develop and maintain suitable data processing and data analysis workflows using either open-source software, commercial software packages or in-house developed custom scripts
• To keep up-to-date with developments in the field, proposing or implementing changes of direction within the laboratory as necessary. This can include new techniques, new analytical tools, and new instrumentation. Make recommendations on the purchase of equipment, determining what is required for the LMS and sourcing and investigating options with full consideration for the cost effectiveness of different solutions
• Continuing professional development in the fields of biological mass spectrometry and metabolomic analysis e.g. attending scientific meetings and keeping abreast of the relevant literature
• Contribute as a senior scientist within the LMS to the Institute’s aims for public engagement and translation and exploitation, recognising opportunities for the creation of intellectual property and co-operating in patent protection and exploitation

Key responsibilities:

• To ensure the LMS has cutting edge facilities in metabolomics-based mass spectrometry, developing and applying novel approaches and techniques in the field
• To maintain a broad, balanced and informed perspective of current scientific issues especially those pertaining directly to the area of metabolomics
• To undertake cutting edge research, aimed at key questions within the remit of the LMS, providing the intellectual energy and independent thinking necessary to deliver the research and to play a major role in shaping the overall aims and success of the facility
• To ensure all research involving mass spectrometry-based metabolomics within the Institute is conducted in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local policies and legal requirements
• To train others in the use of the methodology and equipment
• To be responsible for all aspects of line management of members of the Metabolomics Facility, including recruitment, development and performance management in accordance with the MRC’s policies and procedures
• To contribute to the writing of scientific papers and to present at internal and external meetings
• To disseminate research findings both within the Institute and externally in the form of publications, presentations, and reports and thus support the mission of the LMS
• To contribute to the MRC’s engagement with the public and in the translation and exploitation of research findings into improvements in health care
• To balance the different aspects of the role

Working relationships:

The Facility Head will be responsible to the Director/Head of Operations, via the Academic Advisors, for management of resources allocated to the Metabolomics Facility, including financial and people management.

Additional information:

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 and the MRC.

Education / qualifications / training required (to be assessed at application form):

Essential:

• PhD in a relevant biological subject

Desirable:

• Trained in use of instruments in the LMS Metabolomics Facility. Ability to perform trouble shooting and straightforward maintenance of standard instruments

Previous work experience required (to be assessed at application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Extensive experience in biological mass spectrometry including significant practical involvement in metabolomics. This will have included several years of post-doctoral experience in metabolomics
• Proven ability in metabolomics-based mass spectrometry, developing methodology, and applying the technique to cutting edge biological problems
• Proven research demonstrated through publications and presentations at meetings
• Evidence for successful and relevant scientific collaborations
• Experience of working in an interdisciplinary environment, collaborating with computational scientists to meet metabolomics analysis needs
• Experience of running a service and marrying this with other collaborative research programmes

Desirable:

• Experience in fields relevant to the LMS
• Experience of team leadership, including motivation of staff, performance management, employee development and delegation

Knowledge and experience (to be assessed at application form and at interview):

Creativity, initiative and independent working

Essential:

• Capacity to design and lead a research project, choose the best approaches, and rigorously analyse results
• Ability to design new methods or variations of existing methods to solve previously unencountered problems
• Extensive knowledge of procedures for the identification and quantification of metabolites

Desirable

• Evidence of initiating and sustaining collaborations with other research groups across a range of disciplines in biology.

Verbal and written communication skills

Essential:

• Considerable experience in presenting scientific work, both written and orally
• Significant publication record, including first author and/or senior author publications in relevant field

Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (to be assessed at interview):

Essential:

• Ability to think creatively and to innovate, to build relationships with LMS scientists with diverse interests, to prioritise and manage competing demands, to set clear goals and objectives
• Ability to maximise resources available and ensure efficient operation of the facility

Mass spectrometry is technically very demanding, requiring an extensive understanding of the methodology, the implications of different approaches, an ability to analyse complex data and assess what it means. In this role the post holder will be working with a wide range of collaborators with very different research projects, and there will be a need to understand the biological problems sufficiently to be able to contribute as an equal partner in pursuing the research problem.

The post holder will be expected to combine several roles working collaboratively with others, and leading a service. These are likely to come into conflict, in terms of use of machine time or technical resources, and these conflicts will need to be managed so that best use is made of skills and facilities, and so that individual research projects are not unduly favoured, or neglected.

Applicants should submit a CV, names and contacts of two scientific references along with a cover letter stating why you are applying for this role (providing evidence against the requirements of the job as per the job description and person specification). Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. Please quote reference number LMS 2524.

Please note that applications may be reviewed by both LMS and Imperial staff