Research Associate

About Us

The Basant group, funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust, seeks to understand how tyrosine phosphatases regulate cell signalling. This large family of enzymes has been highly understudied compared to its kinase counterpart. We investigate these phosphatases in the context of signalling to the actin cytoskeleton and in virus-infected cells.

About the role

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate position in Dr. Angika Basant’s group at the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London.

The researcher appointed will focus on candidate phosphatases that have been validated to regulate actin dynamics during infection with the poxvirus Vaccinia. How do these phosphatases function, what are their key interactors, how do they recognise substrates, how do they impact signalling dynamics and outputs? The broader goal is to contextualise these findings in uninfected cells and, with the help of a collaborator, in other viral infections. The researcher appointed will take advantage of, and further develop, a Vaccinia virus-based signalling platform, as well as cutting-edge molecule counting and optogenetics tools available in the lab. Experience in phosphatase biology, microscopy, cell signalling or biochemistry is desirable but not mandatory.

A PhD in a relevant discipline is required (or applicant to be near completion). A high-quality publication record and effective science communication skills are essential. International applicants are welcome.

Please reach out to Dr. Angika Basant (angika.basant@kcl.ac.uk) for informal discussions.

The formal selection process will include an interview, which may be conducted in stages (online or in-person).

This is a full time post, and you will be offered a fixed term contract initially for 3 years.

Successful candidate is expected to start before 31st March 2025, but individual circumstances will be considered.

About You

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

Essential criteria

• PhD qualified in relevant subject area*
• Strong track record in a key subject area such as cell signalling, cytoskeleton or similar
• Excellent experimental skills and strong ability to lead project design and management
• An enthusiasm for the research questions being addressed in the lab
• Strong communication skills both in writing and for oral presentation
• Collegiality and ability to work well in a research team
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, learn new skills and troubleshoot technical problems
• Scientific rigor and integrity, and good practice in health and safety procedures

*  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.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in supervision and teaching of other researchers
• Knowledge of phosphatase biology and/or phosphotyrosine signalling
• Experience in biochemistry and/or proteomics
• Experience in microscopy

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