Job Description

The biology of microorganisms and viruses both as infectious agents and as contributors to the effects of the microbiome in general health and disease are important research interests across the Health Faculties and clinical affiliates at King’s College London.  The Department of Infectious Disease is situated within the multidisciplinary School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences and has strong links with clinical affiliates in Infection at St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College Hospital, as well as other research interests related to microbiology across the KCL Health Faculties. The Department has a strong foundation in the immunopathogenesis of viruses and bacteria and we wish to expand this research portfolio in diverse areas of host/microbe interactions.

The Department of Infectious Disease seeks a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Infectious Disease to establish an independent programme of basic discovery or translational research in microbe-host or virus-host interactions. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the pathogenesis of respiratory, enteric or blood-borne bacterial or viral pathogens, metagenomic identification of new infectious agents, the manipulation of immune responses by microbes, and the development of novel therapeutics or vaccines. The post-holder will also have the opportunity to develop links with department-affiliated clinical colleagues to tackle unsolved problems associated with bacterial infection or dysregulation of bacterial/host interactions in a hospital setting. The successful candidate will have an internationally competitive track record of achievement in the biology or pathogenesis of infectious agents. As an academic appointment, the successful post-holder will also have a strong commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and will be expected to contribute to existing taught programmes in the Department as well as being involved in establishing and leading new teaching initiatives in microbial sciences.

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.

This is full time post - 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• To establish an internationally competitive research group studying basic/translational discovery science in bacterial or viral pathogenesis, vaccines or therapeutics.
• To contribute to existing undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in microbial sciences at KCL, and to develop and lead new teaching initiatives.
• To supervise undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD student laboratory-based projects.
• To[A1]  establish collaborative research projects with clinical colleagues and faculty members across the College as appropriate.
• To contribute to the collegial atmosphere of the Department and wider School of Immunobiology and Microbial Sciences.
• To contribute to a positive research culture of diversity, equality and inclusion.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

The post-holder will have a PhD or equivalent in the biology and pathogenesis of bacteria, with a competitive track record of achievement as evidenced by high impact first and senior author publications and the award of funding. The candidate will have experience in both teaching/supervising undergraduate or postgraduate student projects, and a strong commitment to developing education initiatives in microbiology.

Essential criteria (grade 7)

1. PhD or equivalent in Microbial Sciences or related subjects
2. Track record of high impact first and/or senior authorship publications in international scientific journals
3. An exciting proposed programme of research that fits within the strategic goals of Department and the School
4. Clear potential of winning independent funding
5. Experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students
6. Commitment to developing new education initiatives in microbiology, virology or infection.
7. National/International reputation for research excellence in their chosen field
8. Collegial outlook and commitment to enhancing the reputation of the Department and the School

Desirable criteria (Grade 7)

1. Experience in delivering undergraduate face-to-face teaching
2. Expertise in in vivo models of microbial pathogenesis or multi-omic study of microbe/host interactions
3. Track record of establishing cross-disciplinary or translational research collaborations, and/or collaborating with clinical scientists.

Essential criteria (grade 8)

1. PhD or equivalent in Microbial Sciences or related subjects
2. Track record of high impact first and/or senior authorship publications in international scientific journals
3. An exciting proposed programme of research that fits within the strategic goals of Department and the School
4. Track record of winning significant independent funding
5. Experience of supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students
6. Experience in developing and delivering education in microbiology, virology or infection at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
7. National/International reputation for research excellence in their chosen field
8. Collegial outlook and commitment to enhancing the reputation of the Department and the School

Desirable criteria (Grade 8)

1. Experience in delivering undergraduate face-to-face teaching
2. Expertise in in vivo models of microbial pathogenesis or multi-omic study of microbe/host interactions
3. Track record of establishing cross-disciplinary or translational research collaborations, and/or collaborating with clinical scientists.

Further information

In addition to an application and a CV, candidates should send a 1 page summary of important achievements to date and a 2 page detailed overview of their vision for independent research at KCL .