Research Associate

The Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine is a leader in medical education and research, providing a vibrant and supportive environment for its faculty and students. By joining King’s, you will be part of an institution that values innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of knowledge in genetics and beyond.

 The Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics is located in the life sciences cluster in historic and vibrant London Bridge. It hosts advanced research facilities for genetic investigations of both common and rare diseases, alongside studies of fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation. With internationally recognised programs in both computational and experimental genetics, the department serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, encouraging collaboration across various scientific and clinical disciplines and maintaining strong connections with international research communities.

This post-doctoral position is funded by a LEO Foundation research grant held jointly by Prof Timothy Vyse (PI), Dr Deborah Cunninghame Graham (co-PI) and Dr Thomas Tull (co-PI).  The post-holder will work in a multi-disciplinary group based in the Departments of Medical and Molecular Genetics and Dermatology.

Discoid lupus (DLE) is an autoimmune skin of unknown aetiology, characterised by persisting inflamed, debilitating skin lesions. These lesions contain clusters of T and B lymphocytes, which may assemble into tertiary lymphoid aggregates (TLA). The factors driving skin homing, residence and the maintenance of TLAs are largely unknown.  Co-stimulatory molecules, such as OX40 and OX40L, expressed on activated T and B cells respectively, mediate the immune response in systemic lupus. Given the overlap of DLE with systemic disease, we propose that these co-stimulatory signals mediate persistence of skin lesions.

The post-doc will be expected to use multi-parameter flow cytometry and/or immunofluorescence microscopy to identify the lymphocyte subsets in DLE lesions, distinguish potential skin homing molecules on their cell surface and characterise the immune environment bathing the TLAs.  The successful applicant will ascertain whether co-stimulatory molecule gene expression is enriched in TLAs and determine the immune co-factors driving it.  The post-holder will work extensively with paraffin embedded skin biopsy samples as well as in vitro co-culture systems and a 3D organoid model of skin disease to assay the co-stimulatory potential of TLA-like immune cells, identify the immune co-factors maximising co-stimulation and their influence on the effectiveness of costimulatory blockade by monoclonal antibodies.  The post-doc will work in a multi-disciplinary environment, alongside data analysts in a group including PhD students as well as master’s and undergraduate students undertaking research projects.  The post-holder will take responsibility for explaining the experimental approaches to the data analysis team and working with the dry-lab scientists to contribute to the biological interpretation of the data.

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.

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

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

*  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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit ’ pages.