Research Associate in Genetic Design and Assembly for Gene Therapy

Location: South Kensington Campus

About the role:

We are pleased to announce the opportunity to join the £14.2m Engineered Genetic Control Systems for Advanced Therapeutics Mission Hub, led by the University of Edinburgh. As part of this award, we are looking for a candidate to help us to build and test new methods for engineering AAVs for therapeutic applications.

Applications are therefore invited for a Research Associate to join the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London. You will work closely with members of Professor Geoff Baldwin’s Group (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.baldwin). You will be based in Sir Alexander Fleming Building (SAF), South Kensington Campus.

Specifically, we are looking for someone experienced in mammalian AAV expression and AAV delivery using in vitro cell assays. Additionally, experience of using Pichia expression systems would be welcome but is not essential.

What you would be doing:

In this role you will be expected to perform experiments to a high standard.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Expression of AAV in mammalian cell systems
• Develop assays to evaluate AAV particle assembly and packaging
• Assay of AAV variants
• Develop high throughput methods for functional protein screening
• Protein biochemistry including mutagenesis, protein purification and protein assay
• Perform molecular biology techniques including design and cloning of constructs, mutagenesis, PCR and DNA sequencing
• Present data for interpretation by others.
• Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times
• Present findings to colleagues, consortium partner meetings and at conferences
• Write up the finding for submission to refereed journals
• Take responsibility for organising resources and effective decision making in support of research
• Direct the work of small research teams including undergraduate and postgraduate students

What we are looking for:

• A PhD degree (or equivalent) in Biological Sciences or a related field
• Mammalian cell culture essential
• Experience of AAV vectors essential
• Protein biochemistry (Protein expression from a range of organisms, purification and analysis)
• Molecular biology skills (DNA design, cloning, PCR etc.)
• A creative approach to problem-solving
• The ability to organise your own work with minimal supervision and prioritise in response to deadlines
• The ability to supervise others (e.g. Masters and Undergraduate students)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Practical experience within a research environment and publication in relevant and refereed journals

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further Information

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week).

This is a full time, fixed-term position, for up to 24 months.

Candidates should be able to start work from January 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact:

Professor Geoff Baldwin by email: g.baldwin@imperial.ac.uk.

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