Postdoctoral Research Associate in Pain & Stromal Cell Immunology

About us:

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate to join the laboratory of Franziska Denk in the Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre (Wolfson SPaRC) at King’s College London.

Our team is focused on understanding the interactions between peripheral nerves and their surrounding local environment, including connective tissue and immune cells. Most of our current projects are integrated in large, multidisciplinary (and often international) research programs, that include a wide range of experts like immunologists, inflammation biologists, neuroscientists, clinicians and lived experience partners.

The ultimate aim of our research is to find a cure for chronic pain caused by diverse conditions, such as pathological scarring, endometriosis, arthritis and direct nerve damage.

About the role:

As a successful candidate, your role would involve working closely with researchers within and beyond King’s on two separate, but related projects, both involving the analysis of human tissue from painful conditions.

You would conduct multi-parameter flow cytometry of frozen tissue and collect and process additional tissue through existing collaborations. It is therefore essential that you have experience working with human samples and with the ethical considerations that such research entails.

You would join a vibrant and welcoming work environment that will involve co-supervision by a matrix biologist (Prof Tanya Shaw) and that will require you to liaise with international research teams across Europe and South Africa.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract for 24 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

1. PhD awarded or near completion* in Neuroscience, Immunology or related disciplines
2. Experience with multi-parameter flow cytometry 
3. Experience working with human samples
4. Ability to work independently in the design and execution of experiments 
5. Excellent time management and record keeping skills 
6. Strong interpersonal skills, enabling you to work within our friendly and welcoming team and interact with international collaborators 
7. Experience with data analysis, statistical knowledge 
8. Ability to present scientific research in the form of manuscripts, posters and oral presentations 

*  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. 

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.

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