Technical Specialist - Mass Spectrometry Imaging

King's College London; City Of London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

King's College London is seeking a Technical Specialist with extensive MALDI MS imaging experience to lead tissue imaging, optimize sectioning and matrix delivery, and develop acquisition methods for spatial metabolite analyses on Bruker timsTOF Flex MALDI-2. You will perform complex data analysis and annotation across a wide range of samples.

Reporting to the Senior Mass Spectrometrist, you will work with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high‑quality research outputs for academic researchers

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in chemistry, life sciences or related field.
• Hands-on MALDI MS imaging experience and method development.
• Experience acquiring and analysing spatial metabolite/lipid data with MALDI.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present to varied audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience with QA/QC in a lab setting; strong data integrity.
• Experience advising, training or supporting others in MALDI imaging.

Responsibilities

• Lead all MALDI tissue imaging activities and develop protocols.
• Optimize tissue sectioning, matrix delivery and acquisition methods.
• Perform complex data analysis and annotate spatially resolved analytes.
• Collaborate with researchers and commercial customers to deliver outputs.

Skills

MALDI imaging

Mass spectrometry

Data analysis

Independent work

Quality assurance

Team collaboration

Training/mentorship

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Bruker MALDI

Job description

About us

King's Smart Trials Hub (STH) is a globally distinctive multi-omics centre, located at Guy's Hospital Campus within Research Infrastructure, part of Research Management and Innovation Directorate at King's College London.

The Hub brings together state-of-the-art spatial and non-spatial 'omics' technologies to enable full molecular profiling of cells, tissues and liquid biopsies and leverages advanced, multi-modal technologies to investigate disease biology at high resolution, supporting the equitable development of personalised therapies.

About the role

We are looking for a Technical Specialist with extensive experience in mass spectrometry imaging to join our highly collaborative team. The role leads all aspects of MALDI mass spectrometry tissue imaging, with a focus on the analysis of spatially resolved metabolites, lipids and proteins using our Bruker timsTOF Flex MALDI-2 system. You will optimise tissue sectioning for analysis, develop matrix application protocols to preserve spatial integrity, develop acquisition methods for detailed spatially resolved single cell analyses and perform complex data analysis and annotation across a wide range of sample types.

Reporting to the Senior Mass Spectrometrist, you will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality research outputs to academic researchers and commercial customers, contributing to a wide range of research programmes.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract. This is an onsite, facility-based role and the post holder is expected to be on campus for the full working week.

About you

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

Essential criteria

• PhD qualified in chemistry, life sciences or relevant subject area, or equivalent experience gained in a research setting.
• Demonstrable hands‑on experience with MALDI MS imaging mass spectrometry equipment, method development and sample preparation including matrix delivery protocols
• Experience in data acquisition and data analysis of spatial resolved metabolites and lipids using MALDI, with a strong understanding of data quality and reproducibility.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical and scientific information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences, including through reports, publications and presentations
• Demonstrable ability to work independently, prioritise competing demands, and manage multiple projects or activities simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Experience of working to quality assurance and quality control standards within a laboratory or research environment, maintaining accurate records, documentation and data integrity
• Experience of providing technical advice, training or support to others in MALDI imaging techniques and laboratory procedures

Desirable criteria

• Experience with Bruker MALDI instrumentation
• Practical experience detecting, analysing and annotating posttranslational modifications such as glycans with MALDI methods

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 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.