King's College London

About us 

King’s is one of the top research-led universities in the UK and was ranked 9th among the UK multi-faculty universities in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). The Garnett Lab is based in the Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions (CHMI), which is within the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences but is also linked to the Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics. Research within the CHMI explores how the interactions between microorganisms, host cells and environmental factors affect health, disease and wellbeing, with expertise in microbiology, immunology, cellular and structural biology, data science, and bioinformatics. The Randall Centre has a strong focus on structural biology and the determination of protein structures by X-ray crystallography and NMR, supported by other biophysical techniques, computational biology and bioinformatics analysis. 

About the role 

The Garnett Lab investigates molecular mechanisms that promote bacterial disease. In particular, biofilm formation and other key virulence traits that allow bacteria to establish infections and persist within the host/environment. They take a multidiscipline approach using structural biology coupled with cellular, biochemical and other biophysical techniques.  

A Research Associate position is available in the Garnett Lab to work on the structural mechanisms of bacterial biofilm formation. Specifically, how two proteins (Lcl, PdaA) secreted by the Gram-negative opportunistic bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila, modulate between biofilm formation and host infection. This will build on recent work published in Nature Communications (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49255-4) and mBio (https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01393-25 and mBio (https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01393-25))

The ideal candidate for the position will have significant experience in X-ray crystallography, NMR and MD, bacterial culturing/biofilms, and extensive knowledge of protein design and the molecular mechanisms of bacterial systems. They will be responsible for leading the project under the guidance of Dr. Garnett, and supervising students who will be working on aspects of the project. 

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/08/2028

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.

About you

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

Essential criteria

1. PhD qualified in relevant subject area 
2. Structure determination by X-ray crystallography  
3. Experience in bacterial microbiology 
4. Molecular cloning/mutagenesis and recombinant protein expression and purification 
5. Experience in using biochemistry and biophysical techniques to monitor protein/protein and protein/ligand interactions 
6. In-depth knowledge of protein structure and bacterial cell biology 
7. Record of first-author scientific publications (wherever possible) that provide evidence of the above 
8. Good communication (written & verbal) and interpersonal skills

Desirable criteria

1. MD, NMR or other structural biology techniques  
2. Experience working with Legionella pneumophila or other bacterial pathogens under CL2  
3. Creating of bacterial knockout and complementation strains  
4. Purification and analysis of lipopolysaccharide Fluorescence/confocal microscopy 

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 

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.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

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.

Interviews are due to be held first week in September 2025