Research Associate

King's College London; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in London seeks a motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate innate immune responses to bacterial pathogens. The role involves leading a high-impact project focused on signalling pathways during infections. Ideal candidates should have a PhD, strong cell biology skills, and experience with mammalian cell culture. This full-time position offers opportunities in a collaborative research environment.

Benefits

10 days for professional development

Qualifications

• Strong research track record evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques necessary.
• Proven ability to design and analyze experiments independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-impact project on calcium-regulated kinases.
• Develop an independent research project using molecular approaches.
• Contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts and apply for independent fellowships.

Skills

Cell biology

Molecular microbiology

Mammalian cell culture

Cell signalling

Research track record

Education

PhD in cell biology or molecular microbiology

Tools

Fluorescence microscopy

Job description

About Us

The Department of Infectious Diseases brings together researchers and students to understand the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of human infections.

Our research bridges strengths in laboratory-based enquiry using molecular genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and structural biology, with rich clinical resources in microbiology, virology, sexually transmitted diseases and clinical trials.

A major theme in the department is understanding how pathogens interact with their hosts to replicate, transmit, and evolve, and how infection- and vaccine-induced immunity protects us in the face of new and emerging threats.

The Odendall Laboratory, led by Dr Charlotte Odendall, is based within the Department of Infectious Diseases at King\'s College London. Our research focuses on innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions, with a particular emphasis on how host signalling pathways are activated and subverted during infection. We combine molecular and cellular approaches with in vivo models to uncover the mechanisms that determine infection outcomes.

About the role

The Odendall Laboratory investigates innate immune responses to enteric bacterial pathogens, with a particular focus on the pathways that integrate microbial detection with inflammatory signalling. Our aim is to understand how pathogens such as Salmonella and Shigella are sensed by host cells, and how bacteria subvert these processes to promote infection.

Among these regulatory nodes are calcium-regulated kinases, including the calmodulin-regulated kinase CaMKII, which we and others have found to be activated during infection and targeted by bacterial effectors (Alphonse et al, Cell 2022). Our recent work shows that CaMKII is required for signalling downstream of multiple innate immune receptors, highlighting it as a central node in the host-pathogen interface.

We are seeking a motivated and driven Postdoctoral Research Associate with a strong cell biology and molecular microbiology skillset to lead a high-impact project investigating how calcium-regulated kinases control cell signalling pathways during infection and how pathogens manipulate these processes. The post-holder will develop an independent research project using molecular and cellular approaches to map infection-driven signalling networks. They will have opportunities to employ advanced live-cell imaging in collaboration with the Advanced Microscopy platform at the Francis Crick Institute, as well as transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to define the downstream pathways controlled by these kinases.

The successful candidate will join a team within the Department of Infectious Diseases, a collaborative and supportive environment with strong links across King\'s and the Francis Crick Institute. Applicants should hold a PhD in cell biology, molecular microbiology, or a related discipline. Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology is essential, and expertise in advanced fluorescence microscopy is strongly desired. A strong interest in innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, are essential. The candidate will be expected to contribute data and writing to peer-reviewed manuscripts and will be supported for applications for independent fellowships towards the end of the post.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract for 2 years.

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:

Essential criteria

1. PhD in cell biology, molecular microbiology, or a related discipline *
2. Strong research track record, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or preprints
3. Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques
4. Demonstrated expertise in cell signalling or infection biology
5. Proven ability to design, implement, and analyse experiments independently

* 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.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience with advanced fluorescence microscopy (e.g. live-cell imaging, FLIM/FRET, biosensors)
2. Experience with bacterial infection models ( Salmonella, Shigella, or similar)
3. Experience with omics-based techniques (e.g. phosphoproteomics, transcriptomics)
4. Skills in computational analysis of imaging or omics datasets

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.

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.

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 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 in November 2025.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.