King's College London

About us

The Green Laboratory investigates tissue morphogenesis and the action of morphogens. We use animal models to investigate the physical morphogenesis of tissues. It is part of the vibrant and supportive environment of the Centre for Craniofacial Regeneration and Biology at King’s College London, based at the Guy’s Hospital campus.

About the role

This position in the Green lab is to complete a BBSRC-funded project on ventral Closure (VC), a late morphogenetic event in development whose failure leads to the birth defects omphalocoele and gastroschisis. The project will ask how VC happens or fails, specifically what are the cellular events and molecular regulators that make the muscular abdominal wall, dermis and epidermis grow around the viscera. The work will be in close collaboration with Dr. Caroline Formstone (see Panousopoulou et al. J. Cell Sci. 2016 (https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.180703) and Prof. Philippa Francis-West  (Mao et al. Nature Comms. 2016 (https://doi: 10.1038/ncomms11469 and Prof. Philippa Francis-West (Mao et al. Nature Comms. 2016 (https://doi: 10.1038/ncomms11469)).

Progress on the project has define key remaining experiments to fulfil its specified Aims in preparation for submission of a manuscript within the lifetime of the appointment.

Advanced microscopy, cutting-edge biophysical techniques and genetically engineered mouse models will be used. The labs are well-established and located in the vibrant and supportive environment of the Centre for Craniofacial Regeneration and Biology on the Guy’s Hospital Campus.

This is a full time post, and you will be offered an a fixed term 6-month contract until 30/04/2026

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 from a reputable university
2. Experience with mouse models
3. Experience with advanced microscopy
4. Evidence of productivity, including at least one scholarly publication
5. Track record of technical versatility
6. Good record of collegiality

Desirable criteria

1. Extensive experience with confocal microscopy and live imaging
2. Experience with biomechanics concepts and techniques such as AFM, micropipette aspiration and/or nanoindentation
3. Current Home Office Personal Licence

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.

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 in the first week of October.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.