Job description
We are looking for a motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to join our team at King’s College London and the UCL Ear Institute, to work on a new BBSRC-funded interdisciplinary project. 
 
The research will combine live cell imaging, super resolution microscopy, volume electron microscopy and cellular biochemistry to study the role of metabolism in cell fate decisions in the developing auditory system.
 
The project aims to investigate: changes of mitochondrial ultrastructure and physiology in developing sensory hair cells; how metabolic pathways drive specification of the sensory cells and the causal relationship between developmental signalling and metabolism in developing auditory epithelia.
 
The ideal candidate will be passionate about interdisciplinary research and will have an outstanding academic record and PhD in a relevant field (Developmental Cell Biology/Cell Physiology). They should have an interest in developing novel imaging techniques to probe cell metabolism in living cells and in using these to understand the basic cell biology underlying the development and regeneration of sensory cells.
 
For further information about specifics of the project please contact Dr Zoe Mann (zoe.mann@kcl.ac.uk).
 
 
This post will be offered on an fixed-term contract for 36 months 
This is a full  post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Planning and designing experiments, with attention to appropriate controls, statistical power and feasibility to yield robust data.  
• In Ovo electroporation of otic tissue in chick embryos. 
• Dissection and establishment of primary explant cultures of inner ear sensory epithelia. 
• Histological analysis of inner ear tissue by a range of techniques including immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridsation, RNA-scope, Western blot, qRT-PCR and PCR. 
• Analysis of mitochondrial ultrastructure using super resolution imaging and electron microscopy. 
• Analysis of cell metabolism in living cochlear explants using Fluorescence lifetime microscopy (FLIM). 
• Presenting results at scientific meetings.  
• Writing research manuscripts and publishing in high impact journals. 
• Supervising and training research students. 

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 an appropriate discipline (Developmental Cell Biology/Cell Biology/Cell Physiology). 
2. Knowledge of Developmental Biology OR inner ear biology OR Cell Metabolism OR experience with live cell and super resolution imaging. 
3. Experience in animal tissue work, including dissections and primary tissue culture AND/OR working with avian or mouse inner ear tissue. 
4. Lab techniques including molecular biology and histology  
5. Proven ability to work independently, plan and conceptulaise novel ideas, prioritise and manage a workload. 
6. Excellent oral and written presentation skills, with a proven ability to present scientific data in a clear and consise manner. 
7. Proven ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team. 

Desirable criteria 

1. Experience with relevant molecular and histological techniques (in situ hybridization, cloning, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, CRISPR-Cas9 technology, use of Adenoviral vectors) 
2. Experience with light and/or electron microscopy. 
3. Experience with image analysis 

* 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.