Post-doctoral Research Associate, Randall Cell & Molecular Biophysics

European Commission; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a researcher with expertise in cryo-electron microscopy to investigate how viruses manipulate host cell cytoskeletons. This full-time role offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art facilities. Candidates should possess a PhD and significant experience in structural biology and protein purification.

Qualifications

• PhD qualified in relevant subject area.
• Experience in cryo-electron microscopy/structural biology sample preparation and data collection.
• Proficiency in Linux command line usage and cryo-EM processing software.

Responsibilities

• Determine how viruses manipulate host cell cytoskeletons.
• Conduct research using single-particle cryo-EM and cryo-electron tomography.
• Work on-site for roughly 80% of the time.

Skills

Cryo-electron microscopy

Structural biology

Cell culture

Protein expression

Molecular biology techniques

Biochemistry techniques

Linux command line

High-performance computing

Education

PhD in relevant subject area

Job description

Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Medical sciences Chemistry Physics Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 3 Jun 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

An increasing number of viruses are emerging that encode cytoskeleton-binding or modulatory proteins. The core aim of this role will be determining how viruses manipulate host cell cytoskeletons to enhance their replicative capabilities.

The core techniques used will be single-particle cryo-EM andin situcryo-electron tomography, with support from classical cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology methodologies.

The cryo-EM research group at KCL is fast-growing and the university are investing heavily in the technique. We have access to excellent cryo-EM facilities, including an on-site autoloading JEOL cryoARM200 + K3 direct electron detector and a state-of-the-art Titan Krios electron microscope housed at the Crick Institute.

The successful applicant should have a demonstrable passion for revealing fundamental molecular mechanisms and hold significant experience in protein expression/purification, structural biology and cell culture. Experience in cryo-EM is essential and experience inin situcryo-ET, fluorescence microscopy and an understanding of cytoskeletal biology and virology would be advantageous.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30 June 2028 starting no sooner than 1st July 25.

This is a laboratory-based role and as such it needs to be performed on site for roughly 80% of the time, but there will be opportunities to work remotely for roughly 20% of the time, for example when processing data or preparing manuscripts and presentations.

About You

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

• PhD qualified in relevant subject area *
• Experience in cryo-electron microscopy/structural biology sample preparation and data collection
• Proficiency in Linux command line usage and cryo-EM processing software
• Experience in prokaryotic (E.coli) cell culture
• Experience in eukaryotic (e.g. HEK293T cells and/or insect cell systems) cell culture
• Experience in basic molecular biology and biochemistry techniques
• Experience in protein expression and purification methods
• Good understanding of structural and molecular biology and biochemistry

*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.

• Experience in cellular cryo-electron tomography sample preparation and data collection
• Experience in cellular cryo-electron tomography processing pipelines
• Experience in light/fluorescence microscopy and/or correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM)
• Understanding of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton and/or virology
• General proficiency in computing, including an understanding of high-performance computing clusters

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 due to be held within a month of the Application Closing Date (this may be subject to change).

Grade and Salary:£44,355 - £45,497 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job ID:114965

Close Date:03-Jun-2025

Contact Person:Joe Atherton

Contact Details:[e-mail]