Post-doctoral Research Associate

About the role

We are seeking a candidate that has obtained (or will obtain soon) a PhD in a relevant subject (i.e. virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology). Experience working with pathogens (ideally viruses) and/or innate immunity is essential. The lab uses a combination of molecular techniques (e.g. transcriptomics, proteomics, luciferase-based reporter assays, immunoblotting, RT-qPCR, microscopy, generation of recombinant viruses) to study innate immunity in the context of viral infection. Prior experience in some of these techniques is desirable.

Innate immunity provides an important first line of defence, sensing viruses through pattern recognition receptors and activating inflammatory and anti-viral pathways that promote viral clearance. To be successful, viruses must evolve mechanisms to evade and antagonise these processes, particularly the production and actions of interferons (IFN). Beyond infection, growing evidence suggests that innate immunity also plays important roles in many disease contexts such as cancer, autoimmunity and inflammatory disorders, as well as during homeostasis. Understanding how innate immunity is activated and regulated is key to developing novel treatment strategies for these diseases, as well as to fight infection.

Our current research programme aims to address three main themes/questions, using viruses with a DNA component to their life cycle (poxviruses, including mpox, herpesviruses, lentiviruses) as tools for discovery:

• How are viruses sensed by host cells (particularly by DNA sensors such as cGAS) and how do viruses evade detection and innate immune activation?
• Which innate immune proteins act as barriers to infection, particularly against zoonotic viruses, and how do viruses overcome them?
• How is innate sensing regulated during homeostasis (e.g. during cell division) and subsequently dysregulated during viral infection/in diseases states such as cancer?

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

Please address any informal queries to rebecca.sumner@kcl.ac.uk

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 subject area (i.e. virology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology) *
• Track record of publication or clear potential for publication in leading biomedical journals
• Extensive experience in major molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology techniques
• Experience working with pathogens (ideally viruses) and/or innate immunity
• Excellent written and presentational skills
• Ability to work collegially within a team and with external collaborators
• Ability to independently design, implement and analyse experiments

* 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 handling and the molecular manipulation of DNA viruses, particularly HCMV
• Experience with RNAi and/or CRISPR mutagenesis
• Experience with ‘omics techniques, including transcriptomics and proteomics, and analysis of the generated datasets

Advert information