Research Assistant

Kings College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Greater London is seeking a highly skilled researcher with advanced expertise in cancer research. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, extensive experience in lab techniques, and a proven ability to work independently. Responsibilities include experimental design, in vivo studies, and molecular biology applications. This position offers a dynamic research environment aimed at contributing to breakthroughs in cancer therapies.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working in a research role within a target validation laboratory in the cancer field.
• Proven ability to work independently under pressure and manage deadlines.
• Highly experienced in mammalian cell culture and other molecular biology techniques.
• Experience in performing in vivo studies in cancer settings.
• Evident expertise in protein assays and laboratory equipment.

Skills

Cell culture expertise

Experimental design and analysis

Molecular biology techniques

In vivo studies

CRISPR/Cas9 editing

Protein assays

Flow cytometry

Education

B.Sc. (Hons) degree or equivalent

MSc awarded or near completion

Tools

Liquid handling equipment

PCR and qPCR

Microscopy tools

Job description

About You

• Essential criteria 1. BSC (Hons) degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. MSc awarded (or near completion) in a relevant subject is desirable. Extensive experience working in a research role within a target validation laboratory in the cancer field.
• Essential criteria 2. Proven ability to work independently, to work under pressure to meet deadlines and to manage and prioritise own workload. Experience in the design, conduct, optimisation and analysis of experiments is essential. Able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of breast cancer patient subtypes, and the development of targeted therapies in particular those focused on DNA repair deficiencies.
• Essential criteria 3. Highly experienced and competent at mammalian cell culture. Experience performing cell transfection, drug response experiments, cell-based functional assays and clonogenic survival cytotoxicity assays. Previous experience using liquid handling equipment (i.e. echo liquid handler and microplate dispenser) and use of live cell imaging (i.e. incucyte).
• Essential criteria 4. Expertise in 3D organoid culture techniques, including experience in performing dose‑response curves and synergy assays in organoid setting.
• Essential criteria 5. Previous experience performing in vivo studies in the cancer setting in rodent models, performing tumour measurements and dissection / necropsy.
• Essential criteria 6. Previous experience working with patient bloods to isolate plasma and buffy coat / immune cells. Previous experience with germline DNA and circulating tumour DNA isolation from blood.
• Essential criteria 7. Highly experienced and competent in using protein assays (including ELISA, western blots and automated capillary based western blots). Highly experienced and competent in performing RNA and DNA extractions, PCR, qPCR and digital droplet PCR.
• Essential criteria 8. Experience of genetic perturbation of cell lines and PDO models, including working with RNAi knockdown systems (including lentiviral work) and CRISPR / Cas9 editing.
• Desirable criteria 1. Co‑authorship of at least 1 peer‑reviewed publication.
• Desirable criteria 2. Holds a UK Personal Licence for Home Office Modules A, B and C with previous experience working with tumour xenograft and PDX models. Expertise in various dosing techniques for delivery of cancer therapeutics in vivo including intraperitoneal injection (highest priority), oral gavage, IV injection. Experience of cell injections or surgery.
• Desirable criteria 3. Molecular Biology expertise including: DNA manipulation and subcloning.
• Desirable criteria 4. Previous experience with extracellular vesicle isolation and circulating tumour cell isolation from bloods.
• Desirable criteria 5. Experience in multi‑colour flow cytometry and microscopy acquisition and analysis. Including confocal microscopy and high content cell‑based imaging (ie 3i Advanced Spinning disk, ImageXpress, Opera Phoenix and tools for imaging quantifications).

Download 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.

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.

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 person specification section of the job description. 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 at the start of February, exact date TBC. This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearances.