Early career group leaders

Early career group leaders at the Crick lead ambitious research in a uniquely collaborative environment. They are independent researchers who develop world-class programmes in biomedical research, supported by a strong foundation of core funding that allows them to take bold, long-term approaches.

We’re committed to developing scientific leaders, not just successful labs. Early career group leaders receive training in leadership, management and public engagement. Our partnerships with UCL, Imperial College London and King’s College London give Crick group leaders access to a broad network of expertise, facilities and opportunities for joint appointments and collaborations.

The Crick’s open, interdisciplinary culture breaks down barriers between disciplines, and between basic and clinical research. Chemists, physicists, computer scientists, biologists and clinicians work side by side, sharing ideas in our open, collaborative building, which is designed to encourage conversation and connection.

Early career group leaders typically join the Crick for 12 years before being supported to move on. This model reflects our ambition to nurture talent and strengthen the wider UK biomedical research community.

• Full lab set-up and research costs and salaries for up to five researchers, including two graduate students.
• Opportunities to expand through external grant funding, supported by our experienced in-house Grants team.
• Access to our 17 core technology platforms and facilities, known as Science Technology Platforms (STPs), including our high-performance computing infrastructure.
• Competitive salary with benefits and relocation assistance.
• Close links and opportunities for joint appointments with our world-class partner universities – UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King's College London.
• Training and development in areas including leadership, management and public engagement.
• Support for commercial translation through our dedicated in-house experts and funding.

We hold regular open recruitment calls for early career group leaders, open to all relevant research areas. These calls are advertised on this page.

Our last call closed for applications on 27 November 2025.