King's College London

About us:

Join us on our exciting research journey investigating the genetics of mental health! We are looking for a skilled postdoctoral researcher to conduct a groundbreaking MRC-funded project. This project will focus on the sex chromosomes enabling you to explore their unique contributions to depression.

Based at King’s College London, renowned for its mental health research, you will have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge science with the potential to reshape our current understanding of mental health. Supported by a collaborative environment, you will be able to advance your research expertise while gaining the skills you need to achieve your long-term career aspirations through continuous personal development.

About the role:

Depression affects millions of people worldwide and presents a compelling challenge to genetics research. With women disproportionately affected, our project aims to illuminate the biological underpinnings behind these sex-specific differences. Taking the lead in the analysis of novel data, you will be instrumental in advancing our understanding of depression in females and males by:

1.           Investigating DNA methylation patterns on the sex chromosomes to identify new insights into depression's underlying biology.

2.           Evaluating X-chromosome inactivation skewness in females and exploring its correlation with ageing.

3.           Examining X-chromosome inactivation skewness for associations with depression, unravelling crucial links between genetics and mental health.

There will also be excellent opportunities to develop your science communication skills by presenting your research at prestigious international conferences and meetings. You will also be able to develop and participate in public engagement activities, including communicating with those with lived experience of depression.

As a valued member of our research team within the Statistical Genetics Unit at the Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, you will be part of a collaborative research environment led by distinguished experts, Dr David Howard (Principal Investigator) and Professor Cathryn Lewis. In this inclusive and supportive environment, your contributions will be valued, and you will have the opportunity to strengthen your own research and professional skills.

External collaborators will provide additional support to the project to maximise the impact of your research and allow you to expand your connections within the scientific community.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) with a three-year fixed term contract until December 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 in statistical/psychiatric/behavioural genetics or a related academic area with a strong data analysis component
2. Excellent coding skills with a focus on reproducibility and open-source publishing of code
3. Experience of analysing large epigenetic or genetic datasets
4. Excellent attention to detail (e.g. in data management and reporting results)
5. Strong interpersonal and written communication skills
6. Experience of writing and publishing papers as first author reporting genetic or epigenetic analyses of mental health or other complex traits
7. (Grade 7) At least three years of postdoctoral research experience or substantial additional relevant work experience
8. (Grade 7) Ability to take on teaching, supervision, and research management roles

Desirable criteria

1. Familiarity with analysing the sex chromosomes and/or X Chromosome Inactivation
2. Active interest in supporting a diverse research environment
3. Experience of mental health research
4. Interest in science communication and public engagement activities
5. (Grade 7) Strong publication record in the biomedical research field

Downloading a copy of the 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 we are open to hiring a Research Fellow at Grade 7 or a Research Associate at Grade 6.

Further information:

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 late October or early November 2025.