King's College London

About Us

King’s College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world-leading research. We are dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and realising our vision of making the world a better place.

The School of Basic and Medical Bioscience is seeking to recruit a Lecturer in Muscle Biophysics, based in the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics.  This role is part of a major cross-faculty investment in science focused on boundary-breaking research, education and innovation. ​  

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Lecturer in Muscle Biophysics to lead a dynamic and forward-looking programme in muscle biophysics based in the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London. 

The post holder will deliver high-impact, interdisciplinary research in muscle cell biology, motor protein biophysics, mechanobiology and/or muscle disease, enabling the investigation of fundamental principles of muscle function and/or the establishment of disease mechanisms involving muscle and motor proteins.

Embedded in the vibrant, highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of the Randall Centre within the School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, the post holder will establish an independent and externally funded research programme that synergises with and elevates the existing experimental capabilities of the Muscle Biophysics Section, which are currently focused on muscle protein biophysics, muscle cell biology, imaging, muscle stem cells, muscle development and the investigation of muscle diseases. The successful candidate will complement the major strengths of the Randall in applying interdisciplinary research to discovery biology that contributes to the elucidation of the basis of disease. General areas of interest include but are not limited to biophysics, quantitative methods, imaging, human genetics, omics, or physical sciences. 

This position offers: (i) A collaborative structural biology, imaging and muscle biophysics environment with strong technical support and shared expertise within the Randall Centre; (ii) Access to state-of-the-art protein and macromolecular characterisation facilities, as well as King’s core research infrastructure (e.g. Nikon imaging centre); (iii) Excellent opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration across King’s and with London partners; (iv) Support to develop an independent research programme and contribute to high-quality teaching and mentorship. 

The successful candidate will be expected to bridge research interests across Departments and Schools within the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine and beyond, fostering new collaborations. Located in central London, King’s benefits from advances in Science, Technology and Enterprise across the capital, including our partnership with the Francis Crick Institute. 

The Randall Centre is strongly committed to research-enriched education and the appointee will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching across our School of Bioscience programmes.  

Applicants should have an established record of research excellence, evidenced by high-quality publications and emerging independence, potential to attract significant external research funding, and a commitment to promoting a positive research culture.  Education is a key part of the role and support will be provided to further develop teaching and supervisory skills as needed. Experience in teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level will be an advantage.

Applications should include: 1) a 1-page cover letter highlighting key scientific contributions, a brief summary of future plans and fit to the Centre, 2) a CV with a full publication list, 3) a research statement (up to 2 pages) and 4) a teaching statement (up to 1 page).  

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and candidates will be offered an indefinite contract.

About You

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

Essential criteria

1. PhD/DPhil Degree in biology, biochemistry, physics or related subjects 
2. Expertise in the development and application of cutting-edge experimental approaches to investigate muscle biology, motor proteins, or mechanobiology, from fundamental mechanisms to disease relevance
3. Expertise in a research area in Muscle Biophysics that is complementary to and/or synergises with work carried out in the Randall
4. Experience in high impact interdisciplinary research in the area of muscle/motor proteins/mechanobiology
5. Excellent record of publication in peer reviewed journals 
6. Demonstrable contribution to developing peer reviewed funding/fellowship applications
7. Ability to define and lead a research area in muscle biophysics, taking responsibility for planning and undertaking own work
8. Ability to work well as an effective member of a wider multi-disciplinary team and to share and encourage good practice 

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of undergraduate and/or post graduate teaching  
2. Experience of lab supervision of PhD and Master’s students 

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

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 (with full publication list), and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description, along with a cover letter highlighting scientific contributions, summary of future plans, and fit to the Centre; a research statement (up to 2 pages); and 4) a teaching statement (up to 1 page).  . 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.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and/or Occupational Health clearances.