Research Associate in Neurobiology

Job ID: 015144 Salary: £38,304 - £45,026 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Posted: 23-Feb-2021

Closing date: 23-Mar-2021

Business unit: IoPPN Department: Academic Neuroscience

Contact details: QueeLim Ch’ng , queelim@kcl.ac.uk

Denmark Hill Campus   Research    

Job description
We are seeking a postdoctoral scientist interested in dissecting information processing mechanisms in C. elegans neuroendocrine circuits. This 3-year  position is for a Leverhulme Trust funded project in the laboratory of Dr QueeLim Ch'ng at the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London. In this project, the post holder will delineate the neuroendocrine circuitry regulating insulin-like peptides in the C. elegans nervous system. This multidisciplinary research position combines C. elegans molecular genetics with high-throughput quantitative imaging at single-cell level. The candidate will benefit from the vibrant intellectual and collaborative environment and state-of-art imaging facilities.

The candidate will have a PhD (or be close to completion) in molecular genetics, neuroscience, cell biology or related fields, with hands-on experience in molecular genetics and microscopy, and demonstrated researched productivity. Independence, motivation, problem-solving abilities, good communication skills and a willingness to work as part of a team are required. Experience with C. elegans and computational skills are an advantage.

Informal inquiries: Please contact Dr QueeLim Ch'ng (queelim@kcl.ac.uk). Information can also be obtained from our departmental website: https://devneuro.org/cdn/group-overview.php?groupID=73 

This is a full-time post, a fixed-term contract for 3 years. 

Key responsibilities 

• Design and execute rigorous and reproducible experiments related to delineating the neural regulation of insulin-like hormones, including logistics, preparation, and construction of reagents.
• Maintain up-to-date, accurate, comprehensive and detailed documentation of all aspects of the research, to the standard needed for publication and reproducibility.
• Prepare and present results for regular lab meetings, departmental presentations, and national and international meetings
• Take a leading role in the development and introduction of new laboratory techniques and to assist, train or supervise other members of the group, including technical staff, students and other research staff in their application in related lab projects.
• Contribute to general lab duties required for optimal lab operations, including but not limited to making solutions, ordering supplies, entering lab records, arranging for equipment maintenance/upgrades.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience
Essential criteria

• PhD in a relevant Biological discipline such as Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Neuroscience
• Hands-on experience with microscopy, molecular biology and cloning techniques
• Experience in statistical analysis with knowledge of underlying mathematical principles
• Demonstrated research productivity
• Effective communication skills
• Resilience and problem-solving skills
• Ability to supervise, train, and work with others
• Ability to work independently in design and execution of experiments
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Willingness to work outside office working hours

Desirable criteria

• Experience working with C. elegans
• R programming and/or other computational biology skills

Further information 
Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.