Research Associate at the Human Functional Genomics Initiative

About us:

At the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology (CDN), we investigate the mechanisms governing the formation of the brain during embryonic development and in early postnatal life. This is based on the understanding that early experience shapes the way our brain is constructed. While the “ground plan” of the brain is genetically determined, it is also influenced by environmental experience. We are still far from a complete understanding of how these processes work.

CDN is one of four departments in the School of Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and is located at Guy’s campus. Researchers have access to support facilities in genotyping, molecular biology and Drosophila work. CDN has close partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC) and CDN researchers, together with clinical researchers from King’s, make up the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

About the role:

We are seeking a skilled and motivated postdoctoral scientist with experience and expertise in human stem cell culture to join our UKRI-funded Functional Genomics of Human Developing Brain cluster. This project focuses on investigating loss-of-function mutations in genes associated with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders through comprehensive molecular and functional profiling of cortical organoids.

The Research Associate will be involved in the development and implementation of a cutting-edge platform for generating brain organoids and assembloids from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The successful candidate will undertake original research in the Brain Organoid Platform ensuring the highest standards of research excellence while maintaining detailed experimental records and contributing to the training of facility users.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop a research project in a state-of-the-art brain organoids platform at the forefront of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorder research. The successful candidate will join a dynamic research environment with access to cutting-edge facilities and the opportunity to make significant contributions to understanding brain development and disease.

This is a full-time (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract until 13/05/2028.

About you:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills & experience:

Essential criteria:

• PhD in Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or related field
• Extensive hands-on experience with in vitro culture of neural cells, especially with the culture and maintenance of human induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cells
• Experience in molecular biology procedures (e.g. western blot, quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence RNA sequencing and cloning)
• Experience with confocal microscopy imaging techniques
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Able to work independently in the design & execution of experiments

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in generation and maintenance of neural organoids
• Experience using rodent experimental models in neuroscience
• Experience with single-cell RNA sequencing, including sample preparation, and bioinformatics tools for the analysis of sequencing datasets
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Experience in supervising & training research personnel

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 next page after you click “Apply”. 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.

Advert information