About this role
Short summary
We are seeking a Senior Laboratory Research Scientist to lead hands-on hardware development, instrument prototyping and technical build activities across the VISIBLE platform. This is a rare opportunity to join VISIBLE at a defining moment, as the project moves from an advanced academic platform toward a potential spin-out company. The successful candidate will be part of the team helping to shape the technology, workflows and technical direction of VISIBLE from the inside, with the possibility of contributing to the foundations of a new company.
Key Responsibilities
These include but are not limited to:
Building, assembling, integrating and maintaining hardware components and instrument modules for the VISIBLE platform. Supporting development and troubleshooting of microscopy, robotics, motion-control, fluidics, environmental-control and imaging-interface components. Developing custom prototype components using methods such as CAD, 3D printing, machining, fabrication and rapid prototyping. Supporting electronics, wiring, sensor integration, circuit development, PCB prototyping and control-system testing where required. Working closely with software developers, AI specialists and researchers to resolve hardware/software integration challenges and support reliable automated workflows. Preparing SOPs, technical documentation, maintenance records, risk assessments, wiring diagrams, build notes and validation materials. Supporting demonstrations, training, deployment, maintenance and troubleshooting activities for internal and external users.
About you
You will have:
Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in engineering, instrumentation, biomedical engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, physics, robotics or related discipline. Strong hands-on experience in hardware development, instrument build, prototyping, laboratory automation or scientific instrumentation.* Experience assembling, troubleshooting and maintaining complex technical systems or research instruments.* Experience working with multiple types of mechanical, electrical/electronic, optomechanical, robotic, sensor-based or motion-control components.* Organisational, troubleshooting and collaborative working skills* Ability to work safely and systematically in an interdisciplinary research environment.* Ability to communicate technical issues clearly and document hardware builds, tests and maintenance processes to a high standard.*
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. Its work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.
An independent organisation, its founding partners are the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL, Imperial College London and King’s College London.
The Crick was formed in 2015, and in 2016 it moved into a new state-of-the-art building in central London which brings together 1500 scientists and support staff working collaboratively across disciplines, making it the biggest biomedical research facility under one building in Europe.
The Francis Crick Institute will be world-class with a strong national role. Its distinctive vision for excellence includes commitments to collaboration; developing emerging talent and exporting it to the rest of the UK; public engagement; and helping turn discoveries into treatments as quickly as possible to improve lives and strengthen the economy.
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