Senior​/Principal Laboratory Research Scientist

Senior/Principal Laboratory Research Scientist – Making Lab Science Technology Platform

Reporting to:
Head of Making Lab STP

Contract term:
This is a full‑time permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

Salary for this Role:

• Senior Laboratory Research Scientist:
  From £45,700 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
• Principal Laboratory Research Scientist:
  From £55,555 with benefits, subject to skills and experience

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world‑class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.

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.

The Making Lab is a Science Technology Platform (STP) operating at the interface of engineering and biology. We accelerate biomedical discovery by designing and delivering advanced engineering solutions to complex scientific challenges.

We collaborate across Neuroscience, Structural Biology, Cancer, Immunology and Bioengineering. Our expertise lies in Systems Engineering and Microfluidics & Tissue Engineering. We build robotics, automation platforms, sensing systems and integrated hardware‑software tools that power cutting‑edge research.

As part of the global Making in Research movement, we champion open hardware, rapid prototyping and reproducible system design to drive innovation in science.

We are seeking an experienced engineer to join the Making Lab team at Senior (SLRS) or Principal (PLRS) level.

This is a hands‑on technically demanding role focused on leading the development of robotics, automation and integrated hardware‑software systems for biomedical research. You will take ownership of the full project lifecycle, from initial technical scoping and system architecture through electronic hardware integration, embedded and software development, testing, validation and final deployment.

Projects span bespoke instrumentation and complex real‑time experimental platforms, delivered in close collaboration with neurophysiology groups and teams developing advanced automated lab systems.

You will operate within state‑of‑the‑art facilities, including dedicated electronics and integration spaces alongside a workshop for digital and conventional manufacturing (CNC, laser machining, additive manufacturing). At Principal level, you will also contribute to management and long‑term technical strategy, infrastructure development and platform planning for the Systems Engineering activity.

to read more about the STP

See the full job description here

• Leading end‑to‑end development of bespoke hardware‑software systems.
• Designing and integrating control systems, robotics platforms and data acquisition interfaces.
• Developing microcontroller‑based systems, PCBs and sensor integrations.
• Applying structured systems engineering methods. Using version control, testing frameworks and clear documentation standards.
• Providing expert input on experimental design, feasibility and system architecture.
• Mentoring engineers and delivering hands‑on technical training to researchers.
• Contributing to publications and disseminating technical resources.
• At principal level, contributing to platform strategy, infrastructure planning and capital investment.

You will have:

(Minimum criteria for SLRS & PLRS*)

(Minimum criteria for…