King's College London

About us

The Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine is a leader in medical education and research, providing a vibrant and supportive environment for its faculty and students. By joining King’s, you will be part of an institution that values innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of knowledge in genetics and beyond.

The Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics is located in the life sciences cluster in historic and vibrant London Bridge. It hosts advanced research facilities for genetic investigations of both common and rare diseases, alongside studies of fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation. With internationally recognised programs in both computational and experimental genetics, the department serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, encouraging collaboration across various scientific and clinical disciplines and maintaining strong connections with international research communities.

About the role

This post-doctoral position is funded by a LEO Foundation research grant held jointly by Prof Timothy Vyse (PI), Dr Deborah Cunninghame Graham (co-PI) and Dr Thomas Tull (co-PI).  The post-holder will work in a multi-disciplinary group based in the Departments of Medical and Molecular Genetics and Dermatology.

Discoid lupus (DLE) is an autoimmune skin of unknown aetiology, characterised by persisting inflamed, debilitating skin lesions. These lesions contain clusters of T and B lymphocytes, which may assemble into tertiary lymphoid aggregates (TLA). The factors driving skin homing, residence and the maintenance of TLAs are largely unknown.  Co-stimulatory molecules, such as OX40 and OX40L, expressed on activated T and B cells respectively, mediate the immune response in systemic lupus. Given the overlap of DLE with systemic disease, we propose that these co-stimulatory signals mediate persistence of skin lesions.

Purpose of the role:  The successful applicant will undertake the analysis of spatial transcriptomic and proteomic datasets to define the 3D architecture of immune cells enriched in the TLAs.   The post-holder will develop novel bioinformatics tools to interpret the colocolisation of transcriptomic and proteomic signals within lymphoid aggregates.to understand how inflammatory signals influence the costimulatory signal between OX40 and OX40L.  Another position on the grant is in post and leading the data generation with whom this post holder must work closely and effectively.  The post-doc will be expected to collate and harmonise a range of clinical and experimental data into a project database in preparation for analysis.  S/he will have experience in the use and interpretation of immunofluorescence microscopy to identify the lymphocyte subsets in DLE lesions, distinguish potential skin homing molecules on their cell surface and characterise the immune environment bathing the TLAs.  The post-doc will work in a multi-disciplinary environment, alongside data analysts in a group including PhD students as well as master’s and undergraduate students undertaking research projects.  The post-holder will take responsibility for explaining the analytical approaches to the data analysis team and working with the wet-lab scientists to contribute to the biological interpretation of the data.

This is a full time post and you will be offered a fixed term contract for up to 2 years.

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 Bio-informatics, Statistical Genetics, Genetics or related subject
2. Proven experience working with human blood samples and in harmonising clinical data from collaborating groups prior to statistical analyses
3. Experience in the design and analysis of spatial proteomics datasets
4. Comprehensive skills in the downstream analysis and results interpretation of spatial transcriptomic and proteomic datasets
5. Demonstration of a creative and adaptable use of novel bioinformatics tools across UNIX/Linux, Python R interpretation of mulit-omic datasets

Desirable criteria

1. Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, exhibiting strong organizational and problem-solving skills
2. Proven expertise in immunological mechanisms of disease and / or immunofluorescence microscopy panels and their data interpretation
3. Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of persons of differing level, abilities and knowledge
4. Show a high degree of self-motivation and initiative and ability to work independently and collaborate within teams to meet project deadlines
5. Demonstrate flexible thinking, the ability to develop novel analytic or experimental systems and research strategies

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.

* 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

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.

Interviews are due to be held in October 2026.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.