Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job description

We are seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to join the laboratory of   Franziska Denk at King’s College London.

As a successful candidate, you would join a large   Wellcome Trust funded collaborative project to study persistent pain in inflammatory arthritis, also involving the laboratory of   Leonie Taams at King’s College London, as well as research groups at the University of Oxford. You would work on the pre-clinical side of this translational research programme, studying fibroblast-neuron interactions using mouse models of arthritis. 

You should have experience with pre-clinical animal models, either from a pain biology or stromal cell immunology background. Knowledge of cell sorting, immunostaining and behavioural protocols would be desirable. Finally, good interpersonal and time management skills are essential.  

Our team is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive research environment. If you are part of a community that is historically under-represented in academic laboratory science – please be encouraged to apply.  

This role is also open to international applicants. Our grant will cover some of the visa and international health surcharges that will be incurred.  

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 3 years.

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Design and carry out experiments using mouse models of inflammatory arthritis  
• Keep faithful records of these experiments 
• Present your research to others, e.g. via manuscripts & talks 
• Be actively involved in supervising and training of undergraduate, MSc and PhD students in lab projects within the group/team
• Undertake any other reasonable duties relevant to the lab including general laboratory tasks, database management, health and safety training and implementation, internal and external audits, reagent ordering and looking after communal equipment and facilities.

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 in relevant subject area or PhD near completion 
2. Experience working with mouse models, preferably from a sensory neuron (or pain) biology or (stromal cell) immunology background.   
3. Experience with data analysis, statistical knowledge 
4. Ability to present scientific research in the form of manuscripts, posters and oral presentations 
5. Ability to work independently in the design and execution of experiments. 
6. Excellent time management and record keeping skills 
7. Strong interpersonal skills, enabling you to work within our friendly and welcoming team 

Desirable criteria

1. UK Home Office Personal Licence 
2. Experience with flow cytometry/FACS
3. Experience with immunostaining 
4. Experience with measuring mouse behaviour 

Further information

We anticipate interviews to be scheduled the week of the 6th and the 20th of June 2022. 

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.