Overview
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Immunology – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About Us
We seek to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Immunology to join the lab of Professor Patricia Barral.
The post will be based at the Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, on the King’s College London Guy’s Campus.
The Barral lab has strong expertise in Immunology and aims to understand how immune cells adapt to their environment and how in turn their influence health and disease. The successful candidate will combine preclinical models and patient-derived samples to explore the metabolic regulation of macrophages in the context of breast cancer. We foster an inclusive and interdisciplinary culture, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities, training opportunities, and a great network of collaborators. We are committed to support career development and encourage innovative thinking to tackle major challenges in Immunology.
About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in Immunology to join our research team. The successful candidate will work on an exciting project exploring how lipid metabolism shapes immune cell identity and function. This role offers the opportunity to apply cutting-edge techniques, to address fundamental questions in immunology. You will design and conduct experiments, analyse complex datasets, and contribute to high-impact publications in a collaborative and supportive environment.
This project aims to combine preclinical models and patient-derived samples to explore the metabolic regulation of macrophages in the context of breast cancer. As part of the project, you will develop sophisticated ex vivo and in vivo approaches to identify lipid metabolic pathways controlling macrophage functions and how these in turn regulate breast cancer progression and response to treatment.
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31st March 2029.
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
- PhD in Biological/Biomedical sciences *
- Evidence of excellent research productivity – primary author in scientific publications and conference presentations
- Laboratory-based experience in cellular and molecular Immunology techniques including cell culture, purification of primary cells, flow-cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, etc
- Experience in in-vivo animal models of disease and/or transgenic/KO related work
- Excellent communication and organizational skills- ability to communicate complex scientific concepts
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Experience with data analysis and interpretation
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical challenges
* 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
- Experience working with human/patient-derived tissues
- Knowledge of bioinformatics or computational analysis
- Evidence of successful collaboration in multidisciplinary projects
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.
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 Feb/March.
This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
