About us

At the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology (CDN), we investigate the mechanisms governing the formation of the brain during embryonic development and in early postnatal life. This is based on the understanding that early experience shapes the way our brain is constructed. While the “ground plan” of the brain is genetically determined, it is also influenced by environmental experience. We are still far from a complete understanding of how these processes work.

CDN is one of four departments in the School of Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and is located at Guy’s campus. Researchers have access to support facilities in genotyping, molecular biology and Drosophila work. CDN has close partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC) and CDN researchers, together with clinical researchers from King’s, make up the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

About the role

Applications are invited for a Computational Biologist Research Associate position. The successful applicant will collaborate with a team of interdisciplinary researchers at King’s College London and the Crick Institute to develop new gene therapy strategies for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative brain disorders. The research will involve the discovery, characterisation and engineering of RNA signatures associated with brain disorders that can be harnessed in therapeutic gene delivery. The successful applicant will be responsible for the integrative analysis and interpretation of data from RNA-Seq, CLIP-Seq, Ribo-Seq experiments, as well as from other high-throughput approaches. The role will require working both independently and as part of collaborative team to develop and publish research results. The successful applicant will be expected to keep abreast of current developments of the field and translate these into their own research, as appropriate. Participation in the training of students and other trainees is expected. The successful applicant is also expected to contribute to the preparation of funding applications. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work well as part collaborative team, are essential criteria for the position.

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31st December 2028.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD in Computational Biology
2. Experience with major programming languages such as Python and the development of new software for analyzing large-scale datasets  
3. Experience in using existing software for analyzing high-throughput sequencing datasets, and building workflow pipelines using SnakeMake and/or NextFlow  
4. Experience in integrative analyses of different data types
5. Extensive knowledge of RNA biology, neurodevelopmental biology and brain disorders
6. Ability to develop projects independently and as part of a collaborative team
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
8. Experience with mentoring and supervision of undergraduate and PhD students
9. Experience with manuscript and grant preparation

Desirable criteria

1. Experience with analyzing RNA-Seq (bulk and single cell), CLIP-Seq and Ribo-Seq data

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

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

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to an Occupational Health clearance.