King's College London

About us 

The Tucker lab is looking for a postdoc to work on a project funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The post is for one year to study the function of the junctional epithelium using mouse models. The selected applicant will join the vibrant and friendly Tucker lab and work as part of a team interacting with the group of Dr Emily Lu. The Tucker and Lu labs are part of the internationally acclaimed Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology and Centre for Host-microbiome interactions, both housed within Guy’s Hospital at King’s College London.

About the role 

The postdoc will investigate the biology of the junctional epithelium, a stem cell compartment in the oral mucosa, that replenishes the tissues around the tooth. this to understand this unique and essential structure. We aim to follow the development of the junctional epithelium and establishment of its stem cells niche. We will then investigate how this tissue is impacted in case of disease and detachment from the tooth.

The postdoc will be responsible for planning experiments in conjunction with Prof Tucker, performing experiments, analysing data and mouse colony management.

It is expected that the researcher would:

• Work to an appropriate level of health and safety and perform such jobs as required for effective running of the laboratory.
• Maintain an up to date and comprehensible record of laboratory work, to make results accessible and complete.
• Work in a timely and organised fashion to complete pieces of research, produce reports or analyses and contribute to scientific discussion 
• Work with others in the group as part of a team and take part in journal groups and other team activities. 
• Promote a positive research culture. 

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30/04/2027.

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 (submission of thesis) 
2. Background in dentistry-relevant research
3. Knowledge of use of transgenic mice: models of disease and lineage tracing
4. Experience of molecular biology: RNAscope, IF etc 
5. Experience of confocal imaging 
6. Understanding of craniofacial developmental biology and regenerative medicine
7. Team worker

Desirable criteria

1. Original research publications
2. Presentation skills
3. Knowledge of bioinformatics

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.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.