Postdoctoral Research Associate, St John's Institute of Dermatology

Corehr; London; On-site; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a prestigious institution for a post-doctoral Research Associate to contribute to groundbreaking research in gene therapy for a rare skin disorder. This role involves cutting-edge work in optimizing gene editing delivery systems and testing them in advanced skin models. Collaborating with world-renowned experts and leveraging extensive academic networks, the successful candidate will play a vital role in translating innovative therapies from the lab to clinical applications. Join a dynamic and inclusive research environment where your contributions will have a meaningful impact on patient care and scientific advancement.

Qualifications

• PhD in Cell Biology or related field required.
• Experience in molecular techniques and cutaneous research is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in vivo testing of gene editing in DDEB mouse models.
• Collaborate with leading experts and institutions on gene therapy.

Skills

Cell Biology

Gene Editing

Molecular Biology Techniques

Skin Histology

Microscopy

Data Analysis

Team Collaboration

IT Skills

Self-Motivation

Education

PhD in relevant subject area

Tools

High-throughput sequencing

Lipid Nanoparticle Systems

Job description

The post will be based on the Guy’s Campus within the School of Basic and Medical Biosciences at St John’s Institute of Dermatology and include a secondment position at the Blizard Institute, QMUL. The candidate will work closely with the principal investigator Dr Joanna Jacków-Malinowska and in collaboration with Dr Emanuel Rognoni at QMUL. We will also closely work with Prof John McGrath and Prof Jemima Mellerio, both of whom are world-renowned experts in Epidermolysis Bullosa and will be the key clinical personnel to guide with clinical relevant questions to this project. The postholder also will benefit more broadly from the vast interdisciplinary research and academic networks at King’s College London and QMUL.

About the role

Dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DDEB) is a rare genetic skin disorder leading to severe skin fragility from birth caused by single pathogenic variants in the type VII collagen gene (COL7A1). These defects alter the type VII collagen protein in the skin which normally makes adhesion structures called anchoring fibrils that hold the outer layer (epidermis) and inner layer (dermis) together to prevent blistering. Gene therapy is the only possible cure for these patients to restore skin health long-term. While currently developed gene editing approaches are highly effective in cell culture, a key challenge is the skin targeted delivery in vivo.

This CureEB charity funded project will focus on testing and optimising the gene editing delivery targeting COL7A1 with a lipid nanoparticle system into the skin using a combination of state-of-the-art 3D skin cell culture and in vivo DDEB disease models, carrying equivalent disease causing single nucleoid variants and mimicking key features of the human disease.

The Jacków-Malinowska lab has the opportunity for a full-time 3-year Research Associate (post-doctoral) (PDRA) position to join their Molecular and Genome Editing Therapeutics Group at King’s College London.

This is a highly multidisciplinary and collaborative project between four world leading institutions: KCL, QMUL, UCL and PAN (Poland). The successful candidate will hold a secondment to QMUL to work with the DEB model under guidance of Dr Emanuel Rognoni.

Building on extensive previous work from the Jacków-Malinowska lab (Jackow et al., 2019 PNAS; Sheriff et al., 2022 Scie Rep; Guri-Lamce et al., JID 2024; Guir-Lamce et al., BJD 2024), the successful candidate will start performing in vivo testing of gene editing in the DDEB mouse model using lipid nanoparticles previously tested in vitro. We will test different delivery routes of lipid nanoparticles, new formulated lipid nanoparticle compositions, efficiency of epidermal and dermal cell targeting in vivo, and the long-term therapeutic implications for skin homeostasis and wound healing.

Through this preclinical work the PDRA will actively support the clinical translation of our novel gene therapy approach.

This is a fixed term contract until 31st May 2028.

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 for the research programme (e.g. Cell Biology, Cell Signalling, gene editing)
• Relevant knowledge and experience in cutaneous research with good understanding of the research process and knowledge of appropriate research protocols
• Research experience and good track record in molecular and cell biology techniques
• Experience in planning and delivery of own work allocation, to agreed timescales and quality standards
• Experience with skin histology, microscopy and image analysis
• Experience in report-writing, collating, maintaining and deploying data-sets to produce, interpret and present data reports and analysis
• Effective team working with a collaborative style and ability to work flexibly between the St John’s Institute of Dermatology (KCL) and Blizard Institute (QMUL)
• Advanced IT, numeracy and analytical skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision and willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve the demands of the research programme

* 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 developing in vitro 2D and 3D skin models
• Research experience in lipid nanoparticle biology
• Experience with in vivo models and colony management of transgenic lines and hold a PIL A, B and C
• Research experience with High-throughput amplicon and whole genome sequencing

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.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

Grade and Salary: £44,355 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance. Job ID: 113065

Post Date: 14-Apr-2025. Close Date: 05-May-2025

Contact Person: Joanna Jackow-Malinowska or Emanule Rognoni. Contact Details: [e-mail] or [e-mail]