Job description

The Atherton lab at King’s College London (KCL) is seeking an enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher to work on the structural mechanisms of kinesin regulation.  
The core aim will be determination of kinesin regulatory complex structures using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), however cellular and molecular biology techniques will play important supporting roles. 
The position is based at the Randall Centre within KCL’s Guys Campus, an exciting central London location home to a diverse array of molecular and cellular biophysics researchers. The cryo-EM research group here is fast-growing and the university are investing heavily in the technique. In addition to an excellent on-site cryo-EM facility, KCL has access to a state-of-the-art Titan Krios electron microscope housed at the Crick Institute. 
A successful applicant should have a demonstrable passion for revealing fundamental molecular mechanisms and hold significant experience in protein expression/purification, structural biology and cell culture. While not essential, experience in cryo-EM & fluorescence microscopy and an understanding of cytoskeletal/kinesin biology would be advantageous. 
If you would like to know more about the role please contact Joe Atherton via email (joseph.atherton@kcl.ac.uk). 
 
This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract up to 3 years within funding period 01/07/21-30/06/24 
This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Design & implementation of experiments  
• Recording and troubleshooting experiments 
• Maintenance and record keeping of reagent and equipment stocks 
• Sample preparation for cryo-electron microscopy 
• Sample loading and operation of electron microscopes, including data collection 
• Cryo-EM data processing 
• Cryo-EM processing script development 
• Data management and storage 
• Structural modelling into cryo-EM density (de novo and homology based) 
• Procaryotic protein expression and purification  
• Eukaryotic cell culture, protein expression and purification 
• Light and fluorescence microscopy 
• Molecular biology, cloning and biochemistry 
• Construct and primer design 
• Training of students/colleagues 
• Design and preparation of manuscripts for publication 
• Public presentation/communication of results 
• Conference participation and networking 
• Scientific project management 
• Development of research direction and ideas 

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 
 

1. PhD awarded or near completion in a relevant bioscience 
2. Experience in structural biology/modelling 
3. Experience in command line usage 
4. Experience in eukaryotic cell culture 
5. Experience in basic molecular biology and biochemistry techniques 
6. Experience in protein expression and purification 
7. Experience in light/fluorescence microscopy 
8. Evidence of preparing results for publication 
9. Good understanding of structural and molecular biology and biochemistry 

Desirable criteria 
 

1. Experience in cryo-electron microscopy/data processing/scripting 
2. Experience in light/fluorescence microscopy 
3. Experience in or understanding of kinesin/cytoskeletal research 

 
*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 Occupational Health clearance.