Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics (Medicines Development)

Job description

We are seeking a motivated Lecturer / Senior Lecturer to join our Medicines Development research group at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (IPS). 

 

We encourage applicants who have an expanding research profile and a proclivity for curiosity driven, perceptive research that will enhance the world-class research portfolio of the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences and King’s Health Partners clinical academic groups of Pharmaceutical Science.  

 

IPS academics have expertise in the areas of pharmaceutical formulation and analysis, delivery across biological barriers, theranostic nanomedicines, enabling technologies, medicinal/bioinorganic/bioanalytical chemistry, biophysics, microbiology, systems biology, neurodegenerative diseases, pharmacology, vascular biology and inflammation. These are linked by cross-cutting themes in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, antimicrobials and respiratory medicines. 

 

In Medicines Development research group, we build on understanding of drugs to develop medicines of high safety and efficacy. We invite applicants who can capitalise on the rapidly developing Nucleic Acid Therapeutics (NAT) capabilities and opportunities. The applicant is expected to bring expertise in enabling technologies for NAT delivery to the Medicines Development and Drug Discovery research groups and contribute to the healthcare missions identified in the Life Sciences Vision at King’s College London (KCL). 

 

We welcome applications from scientists with backgrounds in NAT chemistry, biology, drug delivery, pharmaceutical technology, pre-clinical or clinical translations of NATs.  We welcome imaginative and interdisciplinary applicants who can move our ambitions forward by pursuing new opportunities for laboratory research programmes. There is a particular opportunity to enhance collaborations with the Centre for the GMP manufacture of Investigational Medicinal Products, Centre for Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, King’s Centre for Lung Health and Regenerative Biomaterials research at KCL. 

 

The applicant should have a strong, fundable research area that fits with the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences and has obvious potential for collaboration with researchers across the School, the Faculty, King’s, the UK and internationally. 

 

An inclusive workplace delivers greater impact and we are looking for an individual who will help evolve our welcoming, vibrant, and inspiring environment. A key part of our ethos is equality, with a dynamic and fulfilling culture for all and an emphasis on tackling under-representation of female and minority ethnic researchers in science. 

 

The role requires a skilled educator to teach undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of Pharmaceutical Science and embed within the existing teaching structure of Pharmacy UGT/PGT Programmes at KCL. 

 

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract  

This is a full-time  post

 

Key responsibilities

•       Deliver research excellence and high-quality education, as a principal research investigator, helping to shape the future of IPS and embed a supportive, collegiate culture. 

 

•       Define and lead research in development of nucleic acid-based medicines for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, securing funding to develop a highly respected, international, research programme. This will include productive collaborative links in academia and/or industry and with colleagues in IPS, across King’s, the UK and internationally. 

 

•       Take responsibility for developing the talent of students and research staff to ensure their effective career progression.  

 

•       Enhance the education and experiences of our undergraduate and postgraduate students, delivering appealing, up-to-date teaching in pharmaceutical science (pharmaceutics, dosage form design and manufacture, drug delivery) and contributing to the development of our curricula and teaching and assessment methods.  

 

•       Provide visionary and proactive leadership in developing and expanding nucleic acids therapeutics research capability within IPS and Faculty of Life Science and Medicine. 

 

•       Lead in seeking external funding for research activities and projects, individually or with other PIs at IPS and beyond, with an ability to identify high-quality grant capture opportunities. 

 

•       Guided by the department safety committee and practices, be responsible for the health and safety of yourself and others. 

 

•       Undertake a proportionate level of administration associated with research and teaching in higher education.

 

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 (Senior Lecturer)  

1.      First Degree or Masters in relevant subject 

2.      PhD in chemistry, biology, chemical or bioengineering, material science, pharmacy or a related subject 

3.      An externally-recognized international reputation for research evidenced, for example, by invited presentation of research at international conferences or publications in scientific journals 

4.      A track record of attracting research funding in relevant area  

5.      Evidence of developing new knowledge, innovative research and broadening the boundaries of drug delivery, medicines development, biotherapeutics, nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) or advanced therapies. 

6.      Ability to teach relevant subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels 

7.      Highly effective oral and written communication skills, to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information, alongside good organisational and administrative skills 

8.      Proactive in creating and developing interactions and collaborations with colleagues 

9.      Ability to lead and function within a team and to plan and prioritise workload 

10.    Evidence of academic leadership 

 

Desirable criteria (Senior Lecturer) 

1.      Research in chemical or biological modifications of NATs to improve their stability and targeting/biodistribution in vivo, improvement in formulation strategies including lipids, biomaterials, bioprinting etc, in vivo tracking and imaging  

2.      Experience in applying NATs to one of the following is desirable: cancer, lung diseases, brain, heart and infectious diseases  

3.      Experience in aptamers, siRNA, shRNA, mRNA design and delivery  

4.      Experience in the biological and chemical analysis and quality control of NAT  

5.      Experience in chemical synthesis of ionisable lipids  

6.      Supervision of undergraduate projects and postgraduate research students. 

7.      Experience of curriculum design. 

8.      Teaching qualifications 

 

Essential criteria (Lecturer) 

1.      First Degree or Masters in relevant subject 

2.      PhD in chemistry, biology, chemical or bioengineering, material science, pharmacy or a related subject 

3.      Postdoctoral experience 

4.      Evidence of developing new knowledge, innovative research and broadening the boundaries of drug delivery, medicines development, biotherapeutics, nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) or advanced therapies 

5.      Ability to teach relevant subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels 

6.      Highly effective oral and written communication skills, to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information, alongside good organisational and administrative skills 

7.      Proactive in creating and developing interactions and collaborations with colleagues 

8.      Ability to lead and function within a team and to plan and prioritise workload 

9.      Potential to provide academic leadership 

 

Desirable criteria (Lecturer) 

1.      Success in obtaining research grant funding 

2.      Research in chemical or biological modifications of NATs to improve their in vivo stability and delivery, improvement in delivery strategies including lipids, biomaterials, bioprinting etc, in vivo tracking and imaging. 

3.      Experience in applying NATs to one of the following is desirable: cancer, lung diseases, antimicrobials, brain, heart and infectious diseases.  

4.      Experience in aptamers, siRNA, shRNA, mRNA design and delivery. 

5.      Experience in chemical synthesis of ionisable lipids. 

6.      Invited contributions to international research conferences. 

7.      Supervision of undergraduate projects and postgraduate research students. 

8.      Teaching qualifications