Postdoctoral Research Associate

About us

The School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (SCMMS), is one of six schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine (FoLSM) at King College London. The School drives translation of world-leading basic science into advances in clinical practices with activities focusing on the Cardiac Biomedicine Department of Diabetes and Vascular Biomedicine.

About the role

This position is for a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral scientist to work on a BHF Project Grant led by Dr. Anna Zoccarato and Prof. Ajay Shah on the role of changes in cardiac metabolism to pathological cardiac remodelling, with specific focus on glucose anabolic pathways and stress responses.

The project will involve the use of i) iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and "engineered heart tissues (EHT)" and ii) experimental in vivo models of cardiac disease. We therefore seek to appoint an individual with a strong background in cell/molecular biology and experience of working with iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes or EHT. Previous experience with in vivo mouse models and in vivo phenotyping (e.g. high-resolution echocardiography) is desirable. The project will also offer experience in metabolomic assays, prior experience in this area is desirable but not essential. The postholder will be part of a vibrant multi-disciplinary research group working on several different aspects of cardiovascular pathophysiology, within the King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence which has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

This is a full-time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fix-term contract for 3 years.

About You

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

Essential criteria

• PhD in a relevant biological sciences project.
• Strong background in cell and molecular biology e.g. primary cell culture, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence, western blotting, qPCR)
• Successful completion of research projects (published papers in high Impact Factor journals). 
• Good written presentation skills, communication skills (written & verbal), and good IT skills 
• Commitment to continuing personal and professional development. 
• Self-motivated, able to work independently, as well as willing and able to work as part of a team. 
• Able to carry out known/learnt techniques unsupervised, and flexible/able to change in current professional context. 
• Able to plan and prioritise workload and keep clear and well-organised laboratory notes and records.

Desirable criteria

• Background in cardiovascular biology.
• Experience of working with iPS-derived cardiomyocytes or engineered heart tissues.
• Experience in gene-modified models and in vivo cardiovascular physiology (e.g. echo).
• Home Office Personal Licence or equivalent.
• Knowledge of mass spectrometry data analysis, data interpretation and computational methods using software such as Metaboanalyst, MassHunter Profinder. 

Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.

* 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.

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