Job Description

Job id: 074546. Salary: \xc2\xa342,405 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 13 September 2023. Closing date: 04 October 2023.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Department of Women & Children\'s Health.

Contact details: Kim Jonas. Kim.jonas@kcl.ac.uk

Location: Guy\'s Campus. Category: Research.

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative and proactive postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in biological sciences to join the Reproductive Physiology group of Dr Jonas at KCL. The post holder will work on a multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health (NIA) Program grant to elucidate the role of G protein-coupled receptor in the endocrine control of ovarian ageing.

The Program grant is comprised of 4 projects, which collaboratively work to understand how key changes in ligand- GPCR interactions define and delineate ovarian functions, and how modulation of these processes may contribute to declining ovarian function, infertility and menopausal symptoms that occur with ageing. The postdoctoral researcher role is a unique opportunity to combine cutting-edge microscopy techniques with pre-clinical genetically modified mouse models, to identify the in vivo regulation of GPCR oligomerization and trafficking and elucidate the roles thereof during ageing. This project has multiple national and international collaborators, and the postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to conduct discrete aspects of training and collaborative work at Imperial College London, University of Nebraska, Omaha (USA) and Wichita State University (USA).

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with experience in analysing GPCR function, with key skills in cell culture, second messenger analysis, microscopy- confocal and/or TIRF essential for this project. Prior experience of working with mouse models is desirable but not essential. The project will heavily utilise mouse models, therefore the post holder will be expected to complete training to obtain a Home Office Personal Licence on appointment.

The postdoctoral researcher will join a productive and supportive team of cell, molecular and physiology biologists in the Jonas lab at Guy\'s Campus, of KCL. The appointee will join the wider Department of Women and Children\'s Health in the School of Life Course and Population Health Sciences, providing an environment that is highly supportive of the career development for postdoctoral researchers. You will have the opportunity to develop independence, undertake professional and technical training, and have support for your next career steps, including applications for fellowship funding.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract until 30th November 2026.

This is a full-time post.

Key responsibilities

• To plan and conduct high quality laboratory-based research to assess GPCR trafficking and oligomerization in cell lines and primary ovarian cells
• To utilize high resolution microscopy imaging to assess protein kinase phosphorylation, GPCR trafficking and oligomerization
• To optimize and perform proteomic analysis of GPCR interactomes and assess in vivo roles and modulation of the identified interactions
• To conduct analysis of receptor- G protein-interactions, second messenger generation assessment using appropriate reporter assays
• To ensure maintenance and breeding of the transgenic mouse colonies (with the aid of BSU staff)
• To analyze data generated and interpret findings in the context of the project, program and wider literature
• To present findings at lab meetings, departmental seminars, and national and international scientific conferences
• To maintain accurate and complete records of data collected in laboratory books and in secure virtual drives
• To draft abstracts for scientific meetings and primary manuscripts for publication
• To assist the PI in the training and supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD laboratory members
• To keep abreast of literature directly relevant to the project and wider field of research

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post

Skills, knowledge, and experience:

Essential criteria * PhD* in biological sciences (*or soon to be awarded)

• Previous experience in cell culture of primary and/or immortalized cell lines
• Highly competent in standard biochemical and molecular biological techniques including transient transfections, siRNA knockdown, Western blotting, bacterial transformations, and plasmid isolations
• Experience of using fluorescent microscopy techniques e.g., confocal, TIRF or super resolution microscopy
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multitask
• Ability to design, execute and analyze experiments to a high standard
• Willingness to work independently and as part of the wider laboratory group, training and supervising more junior lab members, as required
• Have excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias

Desirable criteria * Experience of working with rodent models or is a Home Office personal license holder

• Experience in G protein-coupled receptor functional analysis, particularly relating to trafficking, oligomerization or cell signaling
• Experience in proteomics

Candidates are strongly encouraged to specifically address the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification in their covering letter.

• 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.

Further information

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

The School of Life Course & Population Sciences is one of five Schools that make up the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King\'s College London. The School unites over 400 experts in women and children\'s health, nutritional sciences, population health and the molecular genetics of human disease. Our research links the causes of common health problems to life\'s landmark stages, treating life, disease and healthcare as a continuum. We are interdisciplinary by nature and this innovative approach works: 91 per cent of our research submitted to the Subjects Allied to Medicine (Pharmacy, Nutritional Sciences and Women\'s Health cluster) for REF was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. We use this expertise to teach the next generation of health professionals and research scientists. Based across King\'s Denmark Hill, Guy\'s, St Thomas\' and Waterloo campuses, our academic programme of teaching, research and clinical practice is embedded across five Departments.

More information:

King\'s College London