Postdoctoral Research Associate, Wolfson SPaRC

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based research institute is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to investigate sex-specific molecular pathways involved in age-related hearing loss. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Neuroscience, expertise in molecular biology, experience with mouse cochlear dissections, and a strong ability to thrive in a collaborative environment. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and is based on Guy's Campus.

Benefits

Minimum 10 days professional development per year

Fixed term contract for 12 months

Qualifications

• PhD qualified in Neuroscience or related subject area.
• Solid expertise in cellular and/or molecular biology.
• Significant previous experience with cell culture/primary cell culture/single-cell or bulk RNA-Seq.
• Previous experience with mouse cochlear dissections.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of a single-cell RNA-Seq pipeline for cochlear tissue.
• Collaborate with other members of the lab on aligned projects.
• Work on a research program funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Skills

PhD in Neuroscience

Cell culture experience

Molecular biology expertise

Mouse cochlear dissection

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Home office personal licence

FACS experience

Immuno-fluorescence analysis

Confocal microscopy

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Job description

Offer Description

About us:

The Nolan Hearing Lab is based within the Wolfson Sensory Pain and Regeneration Centre (Wolfson SPaRC), which forms part of the world-renowned Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. Research at the Wolfson SPaRC spans a wide remit with research groups specialising in chronic pain & migraine, repair & regeneration following spinal injury, neuroinflammation, and hearing loss.

About the role:

Age-related / adult-onset hearing loss (ARHL) is a complex neurodegenerative disease affecting millions of people worldwide. This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated and committed postdoctoral research associate to join the Nolan Hearing Lab and work on a research programme funded by the Wellcome Trust. The overarching objective is to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the long-known sex-differences in the maintenance of hearing over the life course and determine if sex-specific molecular pathways can be identified that are suitable as potential drug targets in ARHL.

The post-holder will work in the lab of Dr Lisa Nolan to support the development of a single-cell RNA-Seq pipeline for cochlear tissue that is suitable to translate to our various mouse models we currently have running in the lab. There will also be good opportunity to collaborate with other members of the Nolan lab working on aligned projects.

The post would suit somebody with solid experience of working with small rodents, mouse cochlear dissection and a strong interest in auditory neuroscience. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is also essential: cell culture/primary cell culture/single-cell or bulk RNA-Seq. An active or previous recipient of an Home Office Personal Licence is also highly desirable.

The post is based on Guy’s Campus and will benefit from further support from Dr Pawan Dhami, lead of the Genomics and Single Cell Laboratory at Guy’s Hospital.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 12 months.

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 qualified in Neuroscience or related subject area.
• Solid expertise in cellular and/or molecular biology.
• Significant previous experience with one or more of the following: cell culture/primary cell culture/single-cell or bulk RNA-Seq.
• Previous experience with mouse cochlear dissections.
• Excellent and demonstrated ability to thrive in a team.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask, plan and prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
• Home office personal licence.
• Experience of communicating with people who have different types of hearing loss.
• Experience of working with mice and / or managing mouse colonies.
• FACS experience
• Immuno-fluorescence analysis and confocal microscopy.

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.

*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 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: £45,031 - £49,871 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job ID: 125926

Close Date: 30-Sep-2025

Contact Person: Dr Lisa Nolan

Contact Details: [e-mail]