Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology

European Commission; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent university research department is seeking a skilled post-doctoral research associate to advance studies in neurodevelopment. The role involves generating brain organoids, conducting critical analyses, and collaborating on innovative projects related to stem cell research. Candidates should have a PhD in neuroscience and substantial experience in tissue culture and RNA sequencing. This full-time position offers an attractive salary and a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD degree in neuroscience.
• Substantial experience of human stem cell cultures.
• Experience generating neural organoids.
• Experience performing MEA recordings.
• Experience with RNA sequencing from organoids.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Generate region-specific brain organoids from gene-edited hiPSC lines.
• Conduct morphological and molecular analyses.
• Maintain detailed records of experiments.
• Collaborate with researchers and technical staff.

Skills

Tissue culture

Neural organoids

RNA sequencing

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

PhD in neuroscience

Tools

MEAs

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

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Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Psychological sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 7 Aug 2025 - 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

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

We are seeking a skilled and motivated post-doctoral research associate with expertise in organoid models of neurodevelopment to join our team and be involved in a MRC funded project aimed at generating region-specific brain organoids and assembloids from multiple gene-edited human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines. The successful candidate will be responsible for generating brain organoids and assembloids, and to conducting a comprehensive analyses comparing wildtype and isogenic mutant cell lines, by conducting morphological, molecular (single-cell RNA sequencing), and functional (MEA and Ca++ imaging) studies.

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out these tasks as routine experiments, working both independently and as part of a team. The post holder will be required to be able to maintain a high level of detailed records, stocks and be expected to work with researchers within the group, including technical staff members, PhD students and post-doctoral fellows. This role requires a strong and established background in working with stem cells, generating and characterising neural organoids, carrying out single cell/nuclei RNASequencing, microscopy and multi-electrode recordings from neural organoids.

This is a full time (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an a fixed term contract until 31 July 2027.

About you

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

• Hold a PhD degree in neuroscience *
• Have substantial experience of tissue culture, growth and maintenance of human stem cell cultures
• Have experience of generating neural organoids
• Have experience of carrying out MEA recordings from neural organoids
• Have experience of performing RNASequencing (bulk and single cell/nuclei) from neural organoids
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex experiments.
• Excellent communication skills, including proven record of training researchers in tissue culture and stem cell techniques and neuronal differentiation
• Knowledge of bioinformatics tools for RNA sequencing data analysis.
• Previous and experience with RNA sequencing, including sample preparation.

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 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 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.

Grade and Salary:£44,355 - £47,882 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job ID:120745

Close Date:07-Aug-2025

Contact Person:Deepak Srivastava

Contact Details:[e-mail]