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Research Associate in the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology

Employer
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Location
London (Central), London (Greater) (GB)
Salary
£38,304 to £45,026, per annum including London Weighting Allowance
Closing date
30 Sep 2021

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Academic Discipline
Social Sciences
Job Type
Research Related, Research Associate
Hours
Full Time

Job Details

Job description

The Houart lab is seeking to appoint a postdoctoral research associates (PDRA) to join a Wellcome Trust-funded research programme aiming to understand the role of axonal splicing factors and intron retaining transcripts in neuronal maturation, establishment and maintenance of neuronal connectivity. Our nervous system crucially relies on local fast decisions taken at synapses, long distance from the neuronal cell body.

 

The mechanisms by which these decisions are spatio-temporally controlled remain obscure. Axonal splicing factors and intron-retaining mRNAs have newly been identified as key players in the process. We seek to understand the fundamental molecular and cellular roles they play locally in the dynamic control of neuronal connectivity, using animal models (zebrafish) and cell culture approaches. The post will specifically seek to identify the protein partners interacting with the splicing factors and introns in developing, mature and degenerating axons.

 

The post will require specific expertise in in vitro and in vivo protein biology. We seek applicants with experience in in-vivo proximity labelling, protein pull-down and mass spectroscopy, and/or sophisticated molecular imaging in vivo.

Corinne Houart is a long-standing member and Deputy Head of the outstanding Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Centre for NeuroDevelopmental Disorders and is attached to the Francis Crick Institute. This complex environment provides world-class research facilities essential for this ambitious research programme.

 

This is a full time, fixed term contract for four years.

 

 

Key responsibilities

  • Undertake original biomedical research as an integral member of a group working on CNS development, using animal model (zebrafish), zebrafish/mammalian neuronal cultures and human fixed tissues.
  • Perform sophisticated  protein interaction experiments including in vivo proximity labelling techniques and mass spectroscopy analysis of protein pull-downs.
  • Generate genetic lines, combination of transgenic and mutations to study splicing factor behaviour in vivo.
  • Analyse and quantify imaging and proteomics data
  • Develop novel approaches to understand protein/protein interactions in vivo.
  • Maintain up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive laboratory notes
  • Assist, supervise and train other members of the group, including students and other research staff in their application in related lab projects.
  • Manage the progress and set goals for achievement of project aims in collaboration with team leaders including the execution of literature reviews, data collection and analysis, and report.
  • Prepare reports on results for verbal and multimedia presentations at regular lab meetings, departmental seminars, national and international meetings.
  • Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer review journals or book chapters
  • Facilitate collaboration and networking, which engages and supports the activities of this research.
  • Communicate and collaborate with other members of the team
  • Participate in public engagement activities that promote a public understanding of science commensurate with career development on the basis of mutual agreement with team leaders.

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

 

1.       PhD in Biological Sciences or related discipline

2.       Elaborate skills protein biology

3.       Training and experience in Developmental biology and/or Neuroscience

4.       General web-lab skills including molecular biology

5.       Computer literacy and basic programming skills

6.       Good practical and organizational skills

7.       Working and designing experiments independently

8.       Able to supervise, work and integrate with others in the laboratory

9.       Experience in working collaboratively

10.   Willingness to work outside regular working hours if needed

11.   Research communication and writing skills

12.   Strong publication record

 

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.

 Further information

 

Candidates will be first selected for online interview. The individuals best fitting the qualities required for the posts will be invited to a in-person interview 1-day visit during which they will present their current work/PhD research.

The candidates will be informed by email whether they are offered the post, at the latest two weeks after their visit.

 

This post is subject to an Occupational Health clearance.

Company

King's College London is one of the top 20 universities in the world and among the oldest in England. King's has more than 27,600 students (of whom nearly 10,500 are graduate students) from some 150 countries worldwide, and some 6,800 staff.

King's has an outstanding reputation for world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) King’s was ranked 6th nationally in the ‘power’ ranking, which takes into account both the quality and quantity of research activity, and 7th for quality according to Times Higher Education rankings. Eighty-four per cent of research at King’s was deemed ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (3* and 4*). The university is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of more than £684 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: www.kingshealthpartners.org.

King’s £600 million campaign, World questions|KING’s answers, has delivered huge global impact in areas where King’s has particular expertise. Philanthropic support has funded new research to save young lives at Evelina London Children’s Hospital; established the King’s Dickson Poon School of Law as a worldwide leader in transnational law; built a new Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital; allowed unique collaboration between leading neuroscientists to fast-track new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, depression and schizophrenia at the new Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute; created the Cicely Saunders Institute: the first academic institution in the world dedicated to palliative care, and supported the King’s Sierra Leone Partnership in the Ebola crisis. Donations provide over 300 of the most promising students with scholarships and bursaries each year. More information about the campaign is available at www.kcl.ac.uk/kingsanswers.

Company info
Mini-site
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Telephone
+(44)02078365454
Location
STRAND
LONDON
WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom

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