About Us

The KCL School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences and its Department of Infectious Diseases are internationally recognised for the broad spectrum of approaches they use to understand infectious diseases and improve health and well-being. The School and Department host world leaders in immunology, pathogen molecular biology and host-pathogen interactions, encompassing a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience. The Department is based at the Guy's campus, enabling strong connections with clinical units at the adjacent Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Trust. The Guy's campus, KCL, where the Sumner lab is based, has fully managed tissue culture, microscopy, flow cytometry and molecular biology facilities that will be used in the project.

Research in the Sumner lab aims to elucidate virus interactions with the host innate immune system, particularly how viruses are sensed by innate immune receptors and how viruses evade these processes. (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca-Sumner-5?ev=hdr_xprf)

About the role

We are seeking a candidate that has obtained (or will obtain soon) a PhD in a relevant subject (i.e. virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology). Experience working with pathogens (ideally viruses) and/or innate immunity is essential. The lab uses a combination of molecular techniques (e.g. transcriptomics, proteomics, luciferase-based reporter assays, immunoblotting, RT-qPCR, microscopy, generation of recombinant viruses) to study innate immunity in the context of viral infection. Prior experience in some of these techniques is desirable.

Innate immunity provides an important first line of defence, sensing viruses through pattern recognition receptors and activating inflammatory and anti-viral pathways that promote viral clearance. To be successful, viruses must evolve mechanisms to evade and antagonise these processes, particularly the production and actions of interferons (IFN). Beyond infection, growing evidence suggests that innate immunity also plays important roles in many disease contexts such as cancer, autoimmunity and inflammatory disorders, as well as during homeostasis. Understanding how innate immunity is activated and regulated is key to developing novel treatment strategies for these diseases, as well as to fight infection.

Our current research programme aims to address three main themes/questions, using viruses with a DNA component to their life cycle (poxviruses, including mpox, herpesviruses, lentiviruses) as tools for discovery:

1. How are viruses sensed by host cells (particularly by DNA sensors such as cGAS) and how do viruses evade detection and innate immune activation?
2. Which innate immune proteins act as barriers to infection, particularly against zoonotic viruses, and how do viruses overcome them?
3. How is innate sensing regulated during homeostasis (e.g. during cell division) and subsequently dysregulated during viral infection/in diseases states such as cancer?

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 24 months.

Please address any informal queries to rebecca.sumner@kcl.ac.uk

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 a relevant subject area (i.e. virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology) *
2. Track record of publication or clear potential for publication in leading biomedical journals
3. Extensive experience in major molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology techniques
4. Experience working with pathogens (ideally viruses) and/or innate immunity
5. Excellent written and presentational skills
6. Ability to work collegially within a team and with external collaborators
7. Ability to independently design, implement and analyse experiments

* 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. 

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in handling and the molecular manipulation of DNA viruses, particularly HCMV
2. Experience with RNAi and/or CRISPR mutagenesis
3. Experience with ‘omics techniques, including transcriptomics and proteomics, and analysis of the generated datasets

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.

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.

Interviews are expected to be held 3-4 weeks after the application deadline.

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 Occupational Health clearance.

Grade and Salary: £44,355 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 108805
Close Date: 08-Apr-2025
Contact Person: Dr Rebecca Sumner
Contact Details: rebecca.sumner@kcl.ac.uk