King's College London

About us

The Pellegrini Lab is a collaborative research group that focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying brain development using 3D human cerebral and choroid plexus organoids. The Centre for Developmental Neurobiology is a leading research centre located in the heart of London, dedicated to studying the development and function of the nervous system.

About the role

The Technician will deliver reliable, day-to-day technical support to the Pellegrini Lab within King’s College London’s Centre for Developmental Neurobiology. The post underpins projects that investigate human brain development by: (i) maintaining induced-pluripotent-stem-cell (iPSC)-derived cerebral and choroid-plexus organoids; (ii) receiving, cataloguing and processing post-mortem choroid-plexus tissue, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma; and (iii) conducting routine molecular, immunostaining and imaging assays.

The role ensures that cultures, human samples, equipment and consumables are available, compliant with legal and safety requirements and recorded accurately, thereby safeguarding experimental continuity and data quality across the group.

Responsible to / for The post-holder reports to Dr Laura Pellegrini (Principal Investigator). They will liaise closely with clinicians providing human samples, with core facilities staff and with external suppliers.

The technician is responsible for:

• Day-to-day culture, quality control and troubleshooting of iPSC organoids, including preparation of media and conditioned reagents.
• Secure handling, fixation, storage and tracking of human tissues and fluids in accordance with HTA, GDPR and KCL biosafety policies.
• Execution and preliminary analysis of standard molecular-biology and microscopy workflows, and the accurate logging of protocols in electronic lab notebooks.
• Stock control, ordering, receipt and budget-tracking of consumables; scheduling of equipment maintenance and calibration; and timely escalation of faults.
• Completion and annual review of risk assessments, COSHH forms and waste-disposal records; maintenance of a safe working environment for self and colleagues.
• Induction and practical training of students or new staff in routine techniques, ensuring adherence to lab protocols.
• Clear, concise communication of progress, issues and results at weekly lab meetings and by written updates to the PI.
• Personal professional development to maintain competence and to propose improvements to laboratory procedures

All duties are subject to periodic review in line with project needs.

This is a full time (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 1st October 2026 (with the possibility to apply for a PhD program).

About you

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

Essential criteria

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience or a closely related discipline.
2. Proven hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, preferably including maintenance and differentiation of iPSCs.
3. Competence in routine molecular biology and imaging techniques (e.g. PCR/qPCR, immunostaining, fluorescence microscopy).
4. Ability to maintain accurate electronic lab notebooks, sample inventories and equipment logs.
5. Strong organisational and time-management skills; able to plan and prioritise tasks independently.
6. Effective written and verbal communication skills, with confidence to present results in lab meetings.
7. Demonstrated aptitude for learning, troubleshooting technical issues and working cooperatively within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable criteria

1. Practical experience with 3D organoid cultures.
2. Prior involvement in receiving, fixing and cataloguing post-mortem human tissue, cerebrospinal fluid or plasma.
3. Experience training or supervising students or new staff in standard laboratory procedures.
4. Track record of liaising with clinicians, tissue banks, suppliers or core facilities for sample or equipment logistics.
5. Exposure to budget tracking, stock control and procurement systems in a research setting.
6. Evidence of continuing professional development or intention to pursue further study in neuroscience or related fields.

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 next page after you click “Apply Now”. 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.

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.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health Clearance.