Post-doctoral Research Associate

King's College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

King’s College London invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to an innovative translational immunology programme. The role focuses on regulatory T cells in IBD lesions, collaborating with gastroenterologists and immunologists at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and KCL.

You will validate scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic findings, helping to define therapeutic targets while building an independent research profile in a multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Systems Biology, or a related discipline.
• Experience in knockout generation using CRISPR.
• Experience in cellular and molecular immunology techniques including flow cytometry, Treg expansion, intracellular cytokine assays, and functional immune assays.

Responsibilities

• Investigate regulatory T cell biology to identify suppressive Treg subsets in IBD gut lesions.
• Provide lab-based functional validation of scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic findings.
• Translate findings into clinically relevant therapeutic targets in a translational immunology programme.

Skills

Flow cytometry

CRISPR knockout

Spatial data analysis

Python

R

Education

PhD in Immunology

PhD in Systems Biology

Tools

Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC)

Job description

King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research. We are dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and to realising our vision of making the world a better place.

The Lord Lab is based in the Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine (CGTRM) within the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. We are seeking to recruit a postdoctoral research associate to contribute to an innovative translational immunology programme led by Professor Graham Lord.

About the role

We are seeking a postdoctoral Research Associate to join an innovative translational immunology programme. Working closely with gastroenterologists and immunologists at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London (KCL), the post holder will investigate the biology of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to identify the most suppressive Treg subsets within IBD gut lesions - informing targeted strategies for restoring immune balance in IBD patients.

This role forms part of the TRIBUTE trial, within a multidisciplinary programme developing precision medicine strategies that leverage the immunosuppressive properties of Tregs. The successful candidate will provide lab-based functional validation of scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic findings, translating these into clinically relevant therapeutic targets.

The role offers an exceptional opportunity to build an independent research profile at the forefront of translational immunology, collaborating closely with Professor Peter Irving, gastroenterology specialist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, alongside immunologists and bioinformaticians. We are looking for a motivated individual with strong communication skills and a genuine enthusiasm for translational immunology research.

This is a full time (35 hours a week), and you will be offered an fixed term contract till the 31 May 2027. While some flexible or hybrid working may be considered, regular in-person onsite will be required.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you

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

• PhD in Immunology, Systems Biology, or a related discipline


• Experience in knockout generation using CRISPR


• Experience in cellular and molecular immunology techniques, including flow cytometry, ex vivo Treg expansion, intracellular cytokine assays, and functional immune assays


• Experience working with human clinical samples


• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team


• Excellent communication, and scientific writing skills with evidence of contributing to papers, abstracts, funding applications and/or reports


• Post-doctoral or equivalent industry experience in immunology


• Experience in analysing high-dimensional and spatial data, including imaging mass cytometry (IMC)


• Advanced programming and data analysis skills in R and/or Python

*

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

Further Information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.