King's College London

About Us

Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology group is led by Professor Eric So, who is funded by the partner organisations including CRUK, Blood Cancer UK, KKLF, and UGC. The group is interested in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic conversion of normal cells into AML stem cells, and how cellular and molecular heterogeneity influence the biology and treatment responses of the disease. Currently, we have particular focuses on transcriptional/epigenetic regulation and DNA damage responses. Our ultimate goal is to develop novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for the corresponding human diseases. 

The laboratory locates in London, Denmark Hill Campus of KCL. 

About The Role

The purpose of this post is to develop and expedite projects aimed at characterizing leukemia networks in leukemia using newly developed disease models in the lab.  Transcription factors and their associated epigenetic modifying enzymes are frequently deregulated or even mutated in human acute myeloid leukemia (Zeisig et al., 2012, Cancer Cell).  Over the years, our lab has focused on characterization of key transcriptional/epigenetic networks and their emerging crosstalk with DNA damage repair (DDR) mechanisms critical for leukemia development (Kwok et al., 2006, Cancer Cell; Zeisig et al., 2007, Cancer Cell; Cheung et al., 2007, Nat Cell Biology; Arteaga et al., 2013, Cancer Cell; Esposito et al., 2015, Nature Medicine; Cheung et al., 2016, Cancer Cell; Luo et al., 2019, Cancer Cell; Zeisig et al., 2021, Science Translational Medicine; Luo et al., 2022, Molecular Cell,). Details about the lab can be found at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/leukaemia-and-stem-cell-biology. Candidates are desirable to have background in areas of DDR, epigenetic gene regulation and/or cancer biology. 

This post is aiming to assist Professor So in the design and expediting of his research projects for publication of academic papers and securing of grants.

The post holder will:

1. To help to maintain the general operation of the lab.
2. To introduce appropriate new techniques and procedures, ensuring that all new techniques and procedures techniques are adequately validated and documented and ensure that colleagues are trained in new techniques and procedures.
3. To directly participate research projects.

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

About You

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

Essential criteria

1. MRes or PhD in a biomedical sciences subject or equivalent
2. A thorough knowledge of cell and molecular biology
3. Proficiency in performing experimental procedures with animal (mouse), biological samples, laboratory information systems
4. Competent in the interpretation and technical validation of results
5. Ability to work as part of a team and independently, and to respond accordingly to changes in the workload (e.g. be flexible to work outside normal working hour)
6. Experience in handling mouse or maintenance of colony.

Desirable criteria

1. Master or PhD in which investigations of epigenetic regulation/DDR/Biochemistry formed a substantial part
2. Relevant publication in peer-reviewed journal
3. Experience in the study of transcriptional/epigenetic processes
4. Experience of procedures used in the characterisation of haemopoiesis, including xenotransplantation models

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, 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.