Technical Specialist - Mass Spectrometry Imaging

King's College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

King’s Smart Trials Hub at Guy’s Hospital Campus seeks a Technical Specialist with extensive MALDI mass spectrometry imaging experience. You will optimize tissue sectioning, develop matrix protocols, and perform complex data analysis across diverse samples.

Reporting to the Senior Mass Spectrometrist, you’ll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality outputs for academic and commercial partners.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research experience in chemistry or life sciences.
• Hands-on MALDI MS imaging experience with method development and sample prep including matrix delivery.
• Experience with data acquisition and analysis of spatially resolved metabolites and lipids.
• Excellent written and oral communication, able to present to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and maintain data integrity.
• Familiarity with QA/QC standards in a lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of MALDI mass spectrometry tissue imaging projects.
• Develop acquisition methods for spatially resolved single-cell analyses.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver research outputs for academic and commercial partners.
• Ensure data quality, reproducibility and proper documentation.

Skills

MALDI MS imaging

Method development

Sample preparation

Matrix delivery protocols

Data acquisition

Data analysis

Communication skills

Project management

Quality assurance

Training and support

Education

PhD in chemistry or life sciences

Tools

Bruker MALDI instrumentation

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. 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.

£45,031 to £52,514 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance