Laboratory Research Officer
The Francis Crick Institute
Laboratory Research Officer
The Francis Crick Institute
Biomedical research institute advancing human health
Salary for this Role:
From £31,695 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
Job Title:
Laboratory Research Officer - Sensory Circuits and Neurotechnology LaboratoryReports to:
Andreas SchaeferClosing Date:
13/Nov/2026 23.59 GMTJob Description:
Job Title: Laboratory Research Officer – Sensory Circuits and Neurotechnology Laboratory
Details of the role:
Working pattern: This is a full-time, fixed-term (1 year) contract position on Crick terms and conditions of employment
Salary: From £31,695 per annum with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
Application closing date: 13th of November 2026 at 23:59
About us
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 Research Group
This role supports research investigating how the brain processes smells and converts them into signals that drive behaviour in mice. The postholder will work under the supervision of Dr Olivia Pedroncini in the Sensory Circuits and Neurotechnology group led by Prof Andreas Schaefer. The lab investigates how olfactory information is processed and represented in the brain, using a variety of techniques ranging from physiological approaches such as electrophysiology and calcium imaging to connectomics and the development of novel neurotechnologies.
Please click here to read more about the Schaefer lab
The Project
This project investigates how mice use odour cues to locate rewards while foraging, with a focus on understanding which aspects of complex odour environments influence decision making and when animals rely most on smell. The role will involve conducting behavioural experiments, analysing data and applying computational modelling to better understand olfactory guided behaviour. This work will form part of a broader research programme exploring how sensory information is encoded by neural circuits and how these circuits generate adaptive behaviour.
What you will be doing:
You will:
Please click here for the full job description
About you
You will have:
Minimum criteria*
AI in our recruitment process
We welcome the responsible use of AI as a tool to support your application, but we ask that it is used to enhance your own experience, ideas and achievements, rather than replace them.
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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.
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 are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and 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: [email protected]
Find out more about life at the Crick.
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:
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
Biomedical research institute advancing human health
The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical research center that advances understanding of human health and disease. It brings together diverse scientists and technicians, providing support and freedom to pursue ambitious, multidisciplinary projects. Researchers at the Crick explore fundamental biology to answer questions about how life works and how this knowledge can improve health, with partners helping to turn discovery into real-world applications. The institute operates through collaborative teams, shared facilities, and a culture that connects discovery to application, aiming to train the next generation of science leaders. Its goal is to expand knowledge of human biology and translate discoveries into better health outcomes for society.
Explore more opportunities at The Francis Crick Institute