Research Assistant

About the role

Do you have a solid background in immunology with a strong interest in translational research? Do you wish to broaden your horizon, support ongoing research, learn new technologies and join a friendly, ambitious and fun lab? Then this research assistant position may be of interest to you! 

We are looking for a Research Assistant to join the laboratory of Prof Leonie Taams at King’s College London. The successful candidate will offer high quality laboratory research support for a number of projects in the lab including a Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award-funded project, aimed at identifying the cellular and molecular drivers of pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, the role holder will provide technical support for the processing of rheumatological samples (human blood, synovial fluid and synovial tissue samples) for ongoing studies in the Taams lab and our collaborators.

We are looking for someone with a good basic understanding of immunobiology, with an interest in applying their knowledge to the study of human inflammatory arthritis, and who has excellent organisational and technical skills. Previous experience in human blood and tissue sample processing, storage and recording is essential. Other essential criteria include demonstrable experience in human immune and/or stromal cell culture, cytokine detection assays, multi-parameter flow cytometry (e.g. Fortessa, Canto, CytoFlex) and molecular biology skills. The successful candidate will have knowledge of HTA and health and safety regulations. A proactive and problem-solving attitude, excellent data analysis and record keeping skills as well as strong interpersonal, communication and time management skills are essential.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract for 15 months.

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

• A BSc degree in biology/immunology or related subject (awarded)
• A good basic understanding of immunobiology 
• Strong practical (i.e. lab-based) experience in a range of relevant immunological research skills including cellular and molecular biology techniques, e.g. cell culture, ELISA/Luminex, qPCR and /or western blotting 
• Experience in processing, storage and recording of human blood and tissue samples 
• Hands-on experience in multi-parameter flow cytometry experiment design, acquisition and analysis 
• Excellent data analytical and record keeping/data management skills 
• A proactive, collaborative and problem-solving attitude to get the best out of yourself and your team
• Ability to work independently but also as part of a team 

Desirable criteria

• MSc in Immunology 
• Experience with GraphPad Prism and/or R 
• Authorship contribution(s) to peer-reviewed literature
• Theoretical knowledge of rheumatological diseases 
• Experience with (immuno) histology 

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