Job description

We are seeking a highly-motivated scientist to join our collaborative multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will be working towards developing an organoid perfusion bioreactor to enable the study of microvascular perfusion, a functional parameter critical for microangiopathy progression. Based on the flow patterns and structural characteristics of a dysfunctional microvasculature, the post holder will generate a ‘digital twin’ model of vascular leakage.  

The post is funded by the King’s College London British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, a Centre designed to nurture interdisciplinary collaborations and bench-to-bedside projects in cardiovascular research. The post is a pump-priming initiative with strong translational potential that will employ state of the art technologies such as regenerative medicine/ iPS cells, organoids, computational modelling of disease and tissue engineering systems. 

Relevant publications 

1.   Sara G Romeo et al. (doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.09.01.505804)  

2.   Suzette T Lust et al. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01723.  

3.   Lust ST, doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.02.031.  

4.   Corral-Acero J,et al. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa159. 

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 6 months only or till the 31 Dec 23  

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

Key responsibilities

•   Develop and undertake research of high quality consistent with making a full active research contribution in line Department/Division/School research strategy 

•   Manage specific pieces of activity to an agreed timeline and within a specific budget including literature reviews, data collection and analysis, report writing

•   Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings and papers at internal academic meetings and external professional conferences, and to contribute to the internal and external visibility of the department

•   Work as a conscientious and committed member of the team in order to achieve the aims of the projects and the primary care group

•   Facilitate collaboration and networking which engages and supports the activities of the group

•   Participate in educational activities as appropriate to the stage of your career

•   Participate in the supervision and mentoring of students with projects related to the applicant’s expertise

•   To be committed to your own personal career development

•   Liaise with the administrative team for the support of the project

•   Contribute to publications arising from this project

•   Play a key role in the coordination of the design, testing and implementation of the range of qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments required in the evaluation of the study intervention

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 Biological Sciences or PhD in Biological Sciences near completion  

2.      Experience in mathematical modelling to study vascular pathologies, computational fluid dynamics, analytical and computational techniques. 

3.      Or experience with microfluidic systems. 

4.      Or experience with 3D vascular cell culture in hydrogels, bioreactor design, drug delivery systems. 

5.      Or experience with organoids/ spheroid models and micro-tissue function. 

6.      Able to interact effectively within a research team and excellent interpersonal skills 

7.      Excellent verbal and written communication skills evidenced by oral/poster conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. 

8.      Excellent organisational skills and ability to work under pressure and prioritise competing demands on time. 

Desirable criteria

1.      Knowledge of mechanotransduction biology in the field of cardiovascular diseases.   

2.      Experience in fluorescence and confocal microscopy 

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. 

Further information

Interview will be Week Commencing 24 April 23