Deputy Laboratory Head Functional Genomics

Deputy Head / Screening manager - Functional Genomic centre,

Location: CRUK-AZ Functional Genomic Centre, Milner Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus site

Contract: Permanent & Full Time

Application deadline: 24th February 2019 - however we will be reviewing and interviewing suitable candidates prior to this date, so please do not delay your application.

Cancer Research UK and AstraZeneca have recently announced the opening of a new state of the art facility in the UK, dedicated to realising the full potential of functional genomics to accelerate the discovery of new cancer therapeutics.  This joint CRUK-AstraZeneca Functional Genomics Centre (FGC) will be a centre of excellence for CRISPR screening technology, cancer models and computational approaches to big data and will be housed within the Milner Therapeutics Institute on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and operationalised through CRUK Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories (CRUK-TDL) – the charity’s in-house drug discovery unit.

As part of this initiative, CRUK-TDL is now recruiting for the role of “Deputy Head”/Screening manager of the centre, who will, alongside the head of centre, play a pivotal role in the development and success of the FGC by providing technical and strategic leadership.  In this role, you will manage a team of scientists to develop novel tools and technologies to deliver CRISPR screens.  Furthermore, you will work in close partnership with scientists from AstraZeneca, the Cambridge Institute and the wider CRUK network to identify novel targets to support CRUK’s research and the development of new cancer treatments.

Main responsibilities include:

• Line management of a team of scientists developing CRISPR tools and running CRISPR screens
• Setting and maintaining the highest scientific standards for the centre, developing scientific capabilities to meet future demands
• Leading the development, running and interpretation of CRISPR based screens, providing technical support and being accountable for the delivery of high quality data
• Working collaboratively with AstraZeneca scientists and the Cambridge Institute, the wider CRUK network, including close interactions with CRUK-TDL scientific teams
• Awareness and implementation of the state of the art CRISPR technologies and tools
• To represent and achieve scientific visibility of the Functional Genomic Centre through meetings, conference presentations and authorship in the field of CRISPR screening technology
• Providing input into projects and alliances, with regards to CRISPR technology as an enabling tool for drug discovery
• Ensuring compliance to local health & safety rules as well as maintaining a safe and effective working environment 

To be considered for this position you must have the following skills and experience:

• Ph.D in Biology, Cell biology or a related discipline with significant relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.
• Successful track record of working with pooled and arrayed CRISPR libraries
• Significant experience in the field of CRISPR screening for use in target discovery and target validation
• Experience of generating robust screening assays, understanding of data analytics and ability to convert data into biological knowledge would be beneficial
• Experience of establishing and maintaining collaborations with internal and external partners to drive technology improvements
• Ability to prioritise work according to project goals and joint management committee directives
• Extensive experience in line management is essential, experience of running screens as a service would be beneficial
• Ability to demonstrate effective decision-making skills  
• Experience of managing budget and resources effectively

Please click here to see the candidate pack for this role.

Please submit a cover letter and CV as your application.

At CRUK we value diversity and we're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner.

Please note, from 2019, we will be relocating from our current offices in Islington to a new office space in Stratford, close to the Olympic Park.