King's College London

About us 

The post is based in the Bieling laboratory at the Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics , within the School of Basic & Biomedical Sciences (BMBS), Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine | King’s College London (kcl.ac.uk). Our group investigates the molecular mechanisms that organise the actin cytoskeleton and control cell shape and movement. We reconstruct biological processes from purified components, combining protein biochemistry, quantitative microscopy and biophysics with collaborative work in cell and structural biology. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary research environment with colleagues working on cytoskeletal dynamics, cell signalling and molecular structure.

About the role

We are seeking a Postdoc to join the Bieling group on the BBSRC-funded project "Unravelling the Molecular Logic of Actin Inhibition by Cytochalasans". Cytochalasans are widely used to perturb the actin cytoskeleton, but how they interact with actin filaments and actin-regulatory proteins remains poorly understood. The project will combine quantitative biochemistry, advanced microscopy and structural approaches to explain these effects at the molecular level. The role is suited to a researcher with direct experience of cytoskeletal biology, actin biochemistry and quantitative fluorescence microscopy.

You will produce and characterise proteins and fluorescent reagents, reconstitute actin assembly from purified components, and develop multi-colour TIRF microscopy assays. These experiments will measure how cytochalasans bind to actin, alter filament dynamics and interact with key actin regulators (formins, capping protein, Ena/VASP etc.).

You will also prepare actin complexes for structural analysis in collaboration with the Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging at King's and the Raunser laboratory to the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, Germany. Training will be provided in complementary methods, including structural sample preparation and microfluidic imaging approaches.

You will plan and troubleshoot experiments independently, analyse quantitative data, contribute to manuscripts and presentations, and work closely with project partners. You will also support students and junior researchers and contribute to the interdisciplinary research environment at the Randall Centre.  

This is a full - time post 35 hours per week and you will be offered a fixed term contract, with a start date no sooner than 1st February 2027 until 31st January 2031.

This role will require the postholder to work onsite 5 days a week.

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 (or near completion) in molecular cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics or a closely related discipline.
2. Evidence of contribution to peer-reviewed research publication(s) as a (co-)first author.
3. Experience of managing own research activities and meeting deadlines. 
4. Substantial hands-on research experience investigating cytoskeletal biology and small-molecule inhibitors.
5. Practical experience with quantitative fluorescence microscopy and experimental analysis of cytoskeletal dynamics.
6. Practical experience in protein biochemistry, including protein purification and biochemical assays of actin assembly or protein interactions.
7. Ability to analyse complex biochemical and fluorescence microscopy data using appropriate quantitative and statistical methods and interpret results in mechanistic terms.
8. Ability to communicate complex information clearly and work collaboratively within a research team.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience reconstituting actin assembly from purified components and measuring filament dynamics or ligand-binding kinetics.
2. Experience with actin-regulatory proteins and/or fluorescently labelled small-molecule probes.
3. Experience preparing samples for electron microscopy or interpreting structural data alongside biochemical measurements.
4. Experience supporting or supervising students or junior researchers.

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 Tuesday 21st – Friday 23rd October.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.