Deputy Research Coordinator (GLAD MHG)

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university is seeking a Deputy Research Coordinator to lead laboratory operations and logistics for a major genetics research program. You will oversee sample management and ensure adherence to quality practices aligned with ISO standards. This role requires strong expertise in biosample logistics, laboratory workflows, and stakeholder communication. The position starts on 1st April 2026, offering a competitive salary of £45,031 per annum. Applications from underrepresented backgrounds are particularly welcome.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biomedical/biological discipline.
• Hands-on experience running laboratory operations or core service workflows.
• Demonstrable expertise in biosample logistics in multi-site or high-throughput settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day laboratory operations and biosample logistics for the GLAD-MHG.
• Establish site readiness and oversee sample collection flows.
• Drive continual improvements in throughput, cost, and auditability.

Skills

Laboratory operations experience

Biosample logistics expertise

Quality management systems knowledge

Stakeholder communication

Problem-solving skills

Education

Postgraduate degree in relevant biomedical/biological discipline

Tools

LIMS/barcoding systems

Inventory management systems

Excel/Power BI

Job description

Overview

Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Research Field Psychological sciences
Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country United Kingdom

Application Deadline 11 Jan 2026 - 00:00 (UTC)
Type of Contract Other
Job Status Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About us

The post will be based in the KCL Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN).

The centre offers a diverse research environment that is open, welcoming and supportive to all. The faculty-wide initiatives are supported by an active Diversity & Inclusion Team.

The Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre is uncovering the genetic and environmental influences on mental health and psychiatric disorders. Our research encompasses behavioural genetics, molecular genetics, experimental psychology and psychiatry, and neuroimaging. Scientists at the SGDP lead some of the UK’s foremost longitudinal cohort and twin studies including TEDS, eRISK, Dunedin, IMAGEN and GLAD.

The NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley leads the NIHR BioResource for Mental Health. We focus on recruiting participants experiencing mental health conditions, as well as healthy people.

Alongside GLAD MHG and The GLAD study, Prof. Breen’s team boasts an accomplished portfolio of clinical and genetic studies which aim to improve treatment and outcomes for those affected by anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions.

To help us achieve our goals, we particularly welcome applications from people from backgrounds who are currently under-represented in UK Higher Education (E.g. Black, Asian, Latinx, and other white ethnic minorities).

We are recruiting a highly motivated professional to support the delivery of the large-scale Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression Mental Health Goals programme (GLAD MHG) and associated projects within the NIHR Bioresource Centre Maudsley, working closely with Professor Gerome Breen.

About the role

The Deputy Research Coordinator will lead day-to-day laboratory operations and biosample logistics for GLAD-MHG: establish site readiness, oversee sample flows from collection to accessioning, embed ISO 17025-aligned quality practices, and drive continual improvements in throughput, cost, and auditability.

Prof. Breen’s team boasts ambitious and accomplished portfolio of clinical and genetic studies which aim to improve treatment and outcomes for those affected by anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other mental health conditions.

Despite being a leading cause of disability worldwide, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is an underserved market segment with significant unmet medical need, GLAD MHG will leverage proven success and substantial investment from KCL, the NIHR Maudsley BRC, and NIHR BioResource in the GLAD study to create a trial-ready dataset integrating detailed phenotyping, multi-omics, and medical records to support MDD precision psychiatry.

The role requires a skilled operational manager, with the ability to forge effective working relationships with collaborators and interdisciplinary academic teams working on related MHG workstreams.

This is a full-time post available from 1st of April 2026 and you will be offered a fixed term contract initially for 2 years, that, with the possibility of extension.

About you

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

• Postgraduate Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biomedical/biological discipline.
• Hands-on experience running laboratory operations or core service workflows (accessioning, QC, rotas, documentation).
• Demonstrable expertise in biosample logistics/chain-of-custody in multi-site or high-throughput settings.
• Strong grasp of QMS and audit fundamentals (SOPs, equipment logs, IQC/EQC, CAPA), ideally aligned to ISO 17025 or similar.
• Experience coordinating and developing technical staff; maintaining competency records and training.
• Excellent stakeholder communication; service-oriented and clear under time pressure.
• Organised, detail-driven, able to manage competing deadlines and solve problems pragmatically.
• Working knowledge of LIMS/barcoding, inventory systems and controlled-document platforms (e.g., SharePoint/iPassport).
• Experience standing up new laboratory workflows/sites (readiness checks, SOP development, training).
• Prior exposure to NHS/academic multi-centre studies and courier/cold-chain management.
• Formal training in quality/auditing and/or biosafety.
• Familiarity with service-improvement methods (Lean/5S) and dashboarding (Excel/Power BI).

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 page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Additional 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.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a CV along with 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.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearances.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Grade and Salary: £45,031 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job ID: 133805

Close Date: 11-Jan-2026

Contact Person: Gerome Breen / Anna Carnegie

Contact Details: [e-mail] / [e-mail]