King's College London

About Us

At the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology (CDN), we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the construction of the brain, from embryonic development through early postnatal life. Our research is grounded in the understanding that both genetic programmes and environmental experience shape how neural circuits are assembled — and that disruptions to this process underlie many neurodevelopmental disorders.

CDN is one of four departments in the School of Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, located at Guy's Campus. Researchers have access to core facilities in genotyping, molecular biology, and imaging. CDN works in close partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC). Our researchers, together with clinical colleagues at King's, form the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MRC CNDD) and the recently awarded MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Human Neural Development (CHiLD), reflecting our commitment to bridging basic science and clinical translation.

About the role

We are seeking a skilled and motivated scientist with expertise in cortical circuit physiology to investigate the cellular and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the maturation and wiring of cortical parvalbumin interneurons in mice and human tissue, under the supervision of Prof Oscar Marín and Prof Beatriz Rico.

This is a full time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract until 30 Apr 2028.

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 in Neuroscience *
2. At least one first-author publication in a scientific journal derived from PhD work
3. Proven postdoctoral research experience
4. Extensive experience with ex vivo whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology
5. Experience with mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders

* 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. Background in cortical interneuron biology
2. Experience with human ex vivo cortical tissue
3. Background in neurodevelopmental disorders
4. Background in mTOR signalling

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 10th July.