Job description

We are looking to recruit a postdoctoral research fellow to join the laboratory of   Prof Leonie Taams at King’s College London.  

As a successful candidate, you would join a large   Wellcome Trust funded collaborative project to study the drivers of persistent pain in inflammatory arthritis, also involving the laboratory of   Dr Franziska Denk at King’s College London as well as the University of Oxford. You would work on the human biology side of this translational research programme, studying fibroblast-neuron interactions in situ using human tissue samples and in vitro using fibroblast cell lines and iPSc-derived neuronal cells. 

You should have a strong grounding in human immunobiology, ideally in the context of inflammatory disease. Previous experience in stromal cell biology and/or in iPSc-derived cell lines would be a distinct advantage. Demonstrable experience in flow cytometry and human cell culture is essential; knowledge of immunostaining and protein/cytokine detection would be highly desirable. A proactive attitude,  excellent data analysis and record keeping skills as well as strong interpersonal, communication 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, with the possibility of extension.

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

Key responsibilities

• To pro-actively design and carry out high-quality laboratory research and data analysis related to the project’s objectives
• To maintain meticulous and permanent records of your work
• To liaise constructively and reliably with other members of the project team and lab
• To actively participate in and contribute to project and lab meetings, as well as the preparation and delivery of presentations and publications
• To be actively involved in supervising and training of UG, MSc and PhD students, and clinical fellows involved in lab projects within the group/team
• To 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 or near completion in relevant subject area  
2. Strong theoretical knowledge of immunology and inflammation biology 
3. Demonstrable and significant experience in human cell culture and functional assays 
4. Demonstrable experience in multi-parameter flow cytometry 
5. Demonstrable experience in preparing and presenting scientific research in the form of manuscripts, posters and oral presentations 
6. Demonstrable ability to plan and execute your own work with enthusiasm and commitment 
7. Excellent data analysis, record keeping and time management skills 
8. A proactive attitude to get the best out of yourself and your team 
9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to work within our friendly and welcoming team 
10. Ability to work flexible hours as and when required to process precious patient samples 

Desirable criteria

1. Previous experience in stromal cell biology or iPSc-derived cell lines 
2. Experience with immunostaining or protein/cytokine detection assays 
3. Hands-on experience with fluorescence-based cell sorting equipment 

Further information

Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to visit the lab and take part in an interview process. This is likely to take place between 1-11 July 2022, and may happen virtually, if the situation requires thi