King's College London

About us:

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a change in our understanding of neurodegeneration and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent dementia.  Our laboratory-based research groups are located at King’s College London, University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, and Imperial College London.

Dementia is a major health challenge of our century – currently affecting fifty million people worldwide, projected to triple by 2050, with huge financial, emotional and social impact on people directly affected, their carers, families and the community.

Dementia is a symptom of several neurodegenerative disorders, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for about 60% of cases. To date, there is no way to prevent or even slow the rate of progression of neurodegeneration. 

About the role: 

Professors Jernej Ule and Benjamin Blencowe are seeking a Research Associate to join a team of researchers working on the Wellcome funded project *‘*Context-dependent RNA regulation and its application in auto-gating therapeutics for brain disorders’ described here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/context-dependent-rna-regulation this project runs until 2032.

The post is based at the Francis Crick Institute, where the joint Blencowe/Ule satellite lab is located. The lab consists of six researchers including PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and a technician. For more information, please see the laboratory website.

The successful candidate will focus on the design and testing of auto-gating therapeutics in the iNeuron models of neurologic diseases, which will also involve the generation and culture of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, their differentiation into neurons and analyses with transcriptomics and imaging, thus contributing to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.

Some of the key skills involved include:

• Planning and performing high quality research under co-supervision of Ben Blencowe and Jernej Ule and in collaboration with other team members.  
• Preparing figures, summarising the results and playing a leading role in writing the manuscripts to be submitted to peer-review journals.
• Supervision of visiting and rotating students related to the post holder’s work.  
• Contributing to the multidisciplinary research strategy of the Centre and department  
• Attend, contribute and present at international conferences as well as internal meetings at UK DRI, Departmental and with external collaborators as appropriate.         
• Regular interaction with collaborators and coordination of joint work.  
• Ensuring the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up to date records.
• Continue professional development, including participation in staff development and review procedures in accordance with King’s guidelines, including annual formal appraisal.

This is a full -time post (35 hours per week) and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 2030.

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. Hold a PhD in Molecular or Cellular Biology, or a closely related discipline.
2. Experience with molecular biology of ribonucleoprotein complexes and RNA regulation
3. Experience in genome editing techniques.  
4. Experience with high-throughput sequencing and its analysis.  
5. Experience in immunostaining, microscopy and image analysis.  
6. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take initiative in problem-solving and experimental troubleshooting.
7.  Excellent communication skills
8.  Excellent organizational skills

**** ***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. 

Desirable criteria

1. Experience with working with iPSC cells
2. Experience with Transcriptomics  
3. Experience with the studies of protein-RNA condensates

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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.

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.

Interviews are due to be held on week commencing Monday 20 July tbc

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.