Research Associate

King's College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

King’s College London invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher to validate and develop small molecule inhibitors that block candidalysin activity. You will work on fungal pathogenesis, epithelial cell biology, inhibitor screening and in vivo infection models to identify therapeutic candidates.

The role combines in vitro mechanistic studies with in vivo murine candidiasis models, guidance on compound prioritisation and data-driven Go/No-Go decisions, within a multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• PhD in Biological/Biophysical/Pharmaceutical Sciences or related
• Experience in fungal biology/pathogenesis, especially Candida
• Hands-on mammalian epithelial cell culture and infection assays
• Experience with membrane biophysics and biophysical analyses
• Experience with host signalling readouts
• Experience with in vivo mouse infection models or willingness to work with murine models

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanistic in vitro studies using epithelial models to assess candidalysin inhibitors
• Contribute to compound profiling across multiple assay platforms
• Test activity against candidalysin variants from clinical Candida strains
• Utilise murine models of oropharyngeal and vaginal candidiasis to assess outcomes
• Support data integration to prioritise compounds for preclinical validation

Skills

Fungal biology

Host-pathogen interactions

Mammalian epithelial cell culture

In vitro infection assays

Biophysical readouts (SPR, ITC)

Data analysis / statistics

In vivo mouse infection models

Computational skills

Education

PhD in Biological/Biophysical/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

SPR

ITC

Orbit16

Job description

About the role

Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen that can cause severe morbidity and life-threatening infections. C. albicans possesses several virulence factors that promote disease including the ability to form hyphae and secrete the toxin candidalysin.

The postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in validating and developing small molecule inhibitors that block the activity of candidalysin, which drives epithelial damage and mucosal inflammation. The position will combine fungal pathogenesis, epithelial cell biology, inhibitor screening, safety profiling and in vivo infection models to identify candidates with therapeutic potential.

The researcher will perform mechanistic in vitro studies using oral and vaginal epithelial models, to assess whether candidate compounds prevent candidalysin-induced cytolysis, calcium influx, epithelial signalling and inflammatory mediator production. They will contribute to compound profiling across multiple assay platforms, including LDH release, cytokine/alarmin measurement, epithelial viability and safety counterscreens. The role will also involve testing activity against candidalysin variants from clinically relevant Candida strains and species, helping to define breadth of protection.

In parallel, the researcher will support compound prioritisation using predefined potency, selectivity and Go/No-Go criteria, integrating data from biophysical, electrophysiological and cellular assays. They will also utilise murine models of oropharyngeal and vaginal candidiasis, assessing fungal burden, tissue invasion, epithelial damage, inflammation and immune-cell recruitment.

Overall, this position is suited to a researcher with expertise in fungal infection biology, epithelial host responses and translational antimicrobial development, who can work across multidisciplinary experimental platforms to advance anti-candidalysin therapeutics toward preclinical validation.

The researcher will be funded by the BBSRC and based in the laboratories of Dr Julian Naglik at King’s College London, where they will produce independent, original research within the group.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 3 years.

About you

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

• PhD in Biological/Biophysical/Pharmaceutical Sciences, Protein/Peptide Biology, Microbiology or related discipline.
• Research experience in fungal biology/pathogenesis, especially Candida.
• Hands-on expertise in mammalian epithelial cell culture and infection assays.
• Experience with membrane biophysics and biophysical analyses e.g. SPR, ITC, Orbit16.
• Experience in molecular, cellular and biochemical readouts of host signalling.
• Experience with in vivo (mouse) infection models or willingness to work directly with murine models.
• Strong computational, statistical and data-analysis skills
• Excellent organisational, communication and teamwork skillsDesirable criteria.
• Prior experience with candidalysin specifically
• Experience with structural analysis of peptides
• Experience with Galleria mellonella infection or toxicity models
• Experience analysing immune-cell infiltration in tissues
• Experience with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interpretation

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

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.