Research Associate

About Us

The role is situated in the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology at King's College London, part of the School of Life Course and Population Sciences within the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine. The department focuses on cohorts including TwinsUK to better understand the genetic and environmental factors influencing health and disease. Its extensive research portfolio covers genetics, epigenetics, and environmental impacts—such as lifestyle and diet—on complex conditions like chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and osteoporosis. The department also delves into ageing and the microbiome role in health, contributing significantly to genetic epidemiology and public health. Strong collaborations within KCL and with national and international partners further amplify the department's research impact and reach. 

About the role

This post will work on the genetic epidemiology of back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration and hearing loss, supporting the research activities of Prof Frances Williams (PI, Dept of Twin Research, School of Life Course Sciences). We are increasingly moving to multi-omic analysis of microbiome and metabolites to understand their relationship with chronic complex traits. The use of two sample Mendelian randomisation is allowing us to truly define the risk factors which cause common complex conditions, and how they interact with host genetics.

There will have a unique opportunity to work on data from important cohorts including TwinsUK and UK Biobank.  The applicant should be familiar with all aspects of genetic epidemiology including heritability studies, GWAS and multi-omic modelling.

There will also be opportunities to engage in other projects using deeply phenotyped cohorts, as well as with other projects involving genomics research and age-related diseases, in particular chronic pain and age-related hearing loss.

Applicants are expected to be able to direct research independently, supervise students and have a good breadth of knowledge of genetic epidemiology and epidemiology research methods and background. This post is within a highly supportive environment for both early- and mid-career researchers and the ability to work as part of a team is essential.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30/09/2026.

About You

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

Essential criteria

• PhD awarded in genetic epidemiology or microbiome/metagenome, or genetics *
• Sound knowledge of genomic epidemiology or statistical genetics
• Ability to write manuscripts for publication
• Knowledge of bioinformatics analysis methods, including ability to analyse microbiome data
• Organised and systematic approach to research
• Problem solving skills – both within the project and more broadly in the institution
• Evidence of successful team-working
• The ability to work under pressure & to meet deadlines

* 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 with working across omics
• Extensive experience in conferences, oral presentations and posters
• Good publication record

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