King's College London

About Us

King’s College London is one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities, committed to excellence across disciplines and to translating scientific discoveries into real-world health innovations. The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine (FoLSM) brings together outstanding researchers and clinicians to address some of the most pressing biomedical challenges of our time. Within FoLSM, the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences is a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary research into molecular mechanisms of disease, therapeutic discovery, and patient-centred outcomes. 

The Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, led by Professor Eric C.W. So, is an internationally recognised research team focused on understanding the molecular and cellular basis of normal haematopoiesis and its malignant transformation into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Our research integrates cutting-edge studies in transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, DNA damage response (DDR), and replication stress to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that drive leukaemia initiation, progression and treatment resistance. We collaborate across King’s Health Partners, with strategic funding from Cancer Research UK, National Institute of Health (NIH), USA, Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Switzerland, Research Grant Council, Hong Kong, to drive innovation from basic discovery through to translational impact. 

About The Role

We are seeking two motivated and highly skilled Research Associates to support and accelerate research projects within the Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group. This post will play a key role in advancing our experimental programmes that investigate the interplay between epigenetic gene regulation, DNA damage response and replication stress in the context of normal and malignant haematopoietic stem cells.

The purpose of this role is to design, execute, and drive forward research projects that will lead to high-impact publications and competitive grant applications. You will work closely with Professor So and senior group members to lead and coordinate multiple strands of research, particularly focusing on novel crosstalk between epigenetic mechanisms and the DDR/replication stress pathways that regulate stem cell function and leukemogenesis. A significant component of the work will involve functional dissection of key oncogenic transcription factors and epigenetic regulators, and defining their roles in leukaemic transformation and maintenance.

The successful candidate is expected to have a strong background and peer-reviewed publication record in areas such as DNA damage and repair, DNA replication, epigenetic gene regulation, and cancer biology. Over the 18-month contract, you will contribute to experimental design, data analysis, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of findings at international conferences. This role offers an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic research environment at the forefront of blood cancer research and to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of fundamental mechanisms underlying leukaemia and stem cell biology.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 18 months.

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

1. PhD in a biomedical sciences subject or equivalent
2. Strong experiences in studying DDR/replication and/or epigenetic regulation
3. Leading author publications in high impact journal
4. A thorough knowledge of relevant molecular and biochemical techniques
5. Ability to work collaboratively within and outside the group

Desirable

1. Strong background in epigenetic study
2. Strong background in gH2Ax stain and comet assays
3. Experience in affinity purification of protein complexes
4. Experience in studying mouse models
5. Experience in studying DNA replication process

Further Information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university. 

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

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 person specification section of the job description. 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.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.