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Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Employer
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Location
London (Greater)
Salary
Grade 6: £41,386 - £42,474 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Closing date
14 Jun 2023

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Academic Discipline
Clinical, Pre-clinical & Health
Job Type
Research Related
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Hours
Full Time

Job Details

Job description

Viruses employ various approaches to avoid host cell defence-mechanisms and coax host cells into virus particle production. During cellular influenza A infection, these include strategies to inhibit host gene transcription termination, so preventing messenger (m)RNA polyadenylation, -export and -translation. Although it is recognised that inhibition of host-gene mRNA expression aids the virus to promote expression of its own RNA (viral host shut off), not all circulating influenza strains are equally good at it, questioning its evolutionary importance.   

We now seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join in our efforts to uncover the biological significance and mechanisms through which influenza A virus inhibits host gene transcription termination and mRNA expression. You will use a multidisciplinary approach that employs biochemistry, genetics, transcriptomics, molecular and cellular biology. You will be encouraged to use your own initiative and to work in collaboration with others to develop a comprehensive picture of how transcription termination affects RNA fate and consequently gene expression in influenza A infected cells. 

The successful candidate will have obtained a PhD in a biological science such as molecular cell biology, virology or biochemistry. Experience with in vitro biochemistry, virology, molecular biology, transcriptomics or bioinformatics are desirable. The appointee will be expected to show critical, innovative, but also methodological thinking. We are looking for individuals with a sound approach to problem solving, enthusiasm to disseminate their own research in seminars, conferences, and research publications. Our laboratory is embedded in the highly collaborative department of infectious diseases. As a department we are trying to nurture and train postdocs to be prepared for the academic and non-academic job market. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 24 months, with a possibility to extend. 

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent. However, if suitable applicants are interested in 80 % posts, this can be discussed.

Key responsibilities

•         To perform and further develop a research project aiming to understand how host cells react to virally induced transcription termination inhibition in influenza A infected cells using transcriptomics, molecular biology and reverse viral genetics.   

•         To work semi-independently to design and control experiments for above project. 

•         To maintain accurate records of performed experiments and conclusions in line with the team’s standards. 

•         To prepare and deliver presentations about relevant research findings within the team and within and outside the department. 

•         To interact with the team leader and other lab members, fostering a positive working environment. 

•         To develop knowledge of the literature in the subject area.  

•         Drafting publications arising from this work.  

•         To handle equipment safely and considerate, report safety issues instantaneously and assist with general laboratory upkeep as shared by all members of the Team. 

•         To comply at all times with 

the requirements of the Health and Safety regulations. 

•         Any other duties that may be required consistent with the nature and grade of the post. 

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 biochemistry, molecular or cellular biology, mass spectrometry or protein biophysics,  bioinformatics, virology, immunology  or PhD in above subjects  near completion. 

2.       Knowledge of some (or all) contemporary techniques of the following areas:  cell biology, immunology, biochemistry (e.g., protein purification), transcriptomics and molecular biology. 

3.       Scientific integrity. 

4.       Proven ability to design, implement and analyse experiments 

5.       Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate research findings at academic conferences. 

6.       Collegiate handling of general laboratory organizational tasks and good citizen within the department. 

7.       Strong publication record, as demonstrated by first author publication(s) in peer reviewed journals  

8.       Ability to self-motivate and work flexible hours 

9.       Ability to work co-operatively and collegially as a team member. 

10.    Basic Bioinformatic ability, sound computer and data-handling skills 

Desirable criteria

1.       Knowledge of transcription termination literature and/or influenza A literature 

2.       Training in RNA sequencing techniques, library preparation  

3.       Experience with mass spectrometry or protein cross-linking techniques. 

4.       Experience with designing CIRSPR 

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

Informal inquiries about this post can be addressed to Hannah.Mischo@kcl.ac.uk

Company

King's College London is one of the top 20 universities in the world and among the oldest in England. King's has more than 27,600 students (of whom nearly 10,500 are graduate students) from some 150 countries worldwide, and some 6,800 staff.

King's has an outstanding reputation for world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) King’s was ranked 6th nationally in the ‘power’ ranking, which takes into account both the quality and quantity of research activity, and 7th for quality according to Times Higher Education rankings. Eighty-four per cent of research at King’s was deemed ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (3* and 4*). The university is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of more than £684 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: www.kingshealthpartners.org.

King’s £600 million campaign, World questions|KING’s answers, has delivered huge global impact in areas where King’s has particular expertise. Philanthropic support has funded new research to save young lives at Evelina London Children’s Hospital; established the King’s Dickson Poon School of Law as a worldwide leader in transnational law; built a new Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital; allowed unique collaboration between leading neuroscientists to fast-track new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, depression and schizophrenia at the new Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute; created the Cicely Saunders Institute: the first academic institution in the world dedicated to palliative care, and supported the King’s Sierra Leone Partnership in the Ebola crisis. Donations provide over 300 of the most promising students with scholarships and bursaries each year. More information about the campaign is available at www.kcl.ac.uk/kingsanswers.

Company info
Mini-site
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Telephone
+(44)02078365454
Location
STRAND
LONDON
WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom

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