Job description
 
A Research Assistant position is available at King’s College London in Dr James Garnett’s group in the Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, to work on novel mechanisms of bacterial biofilm formation and effector-mediated infection. The Centre is based in the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences and the ideal candidate for the position will have significant experience working with E. coli and L. pneumophila, and extensive knowledge of bacterial/eukaryotic culturing and biofilm formation.  
 
This post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 2 years and 10 months 
This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities
 
Research  
•         Responsible, under the general guidance of Dr James Garnett, for undertaking the programme of work.  
•         Conduct research and any other relevant activities as required by the research programme. 
•         Collect data and undertake appropriate analysis of data as required. 
•         Discuss research results with supervisor and the team through informal and formal meetings. 
•         Prepare reports of research results, and present research data at seminars, national and international conferences.  
•         Contribute to writing papers summarising research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals of high international standing. Contribute to other reports where necessary.  
•         Maintain appropriate databases, strain and plasmid archives, and keep accurate written and computerised records of research protocols and results. Ensure that these records are securely stored and maintain confidentiality of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act. 
•         Undertake literature and database searches for the research project, keeping up to date with developments in the subject area. 
•         Be able to interpret and present the findings of literature searches and advise the research team appropriately regarding potential projects as required by the supervisor. 
•         Work with external collaborators as agreed with the supervisor. 
•         May be called on to provide advice to other staff and students. 
•         Encourage interaction between team members and share laboratory communal tasks. 
•         Assist in writing health & safety policies, local rules, and standard operating procedures as part of the programme of work. 
•         Ensure that appropriate risk assessment procedures are followed and documented. 
 
General
•         Manage projects in a professional manner using judgement and discretion.
•         Be co-operative and flexible, undertaking other duties as may from time to time be reasonably required of a member of research grade staff in a university. 
 
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.       Undergraduate degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related subject 
2.       Experience of culturing bacterial pathogens  
3.       Experience of culturing eukaryotic cells 
4.       Experience growing biofilms using flow cell systems 
5.       Confocal microscopy and other biofilms analysis techniques  
6.       Bacterial genetics, molecular cloning, and mutagenesis 
7.       Evidence of basic biochemistry skills 
8.       Record of scientific publications that provide evidence of the above 
9.       Good recording keeping skills 
10.   Ability to prioritize experiments, and organize research within the project timetable 
 
Desirable criteria
 
1.       Experience in recombinant protein expression/purification 
2.       In vitro and bacterial binding assays 
3.       Biophysical techniques 
 
This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.