Postdoctoral Research Associate

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral research associate to join the group of Dr Joaquim Vieira lab and contribute to our research using mouse models to investigate the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating normal cardiovascular development and function. This position is funded by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) project grant focused on the investigation of the role of epicardial-derived SLIT/ROBO signalling during heart development. Specific activity includes establishing SLIT and ROBO proteins expression pattern in the developing epicardium, determining the exact consequences of loss of epicardial SLIT/ROBO signalling to heart development, defining the exact role of SLIT/ROBO signalling in epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and performing unbiased transcriptomic analysis of
Slit epicardial-deficient hearts. The post holder will be a member of a research group with responsibility for managing and carrying out own research; gathering, analysing, and presenting scientific data and contributing to publications; and providing guidance to less experienced members of the research group, including research assistants, and MSc/PhD students.

We therefore seek to appoint an individual with a strong background in cell, developmental and molecular biology as well as experience of working with
in vivo mouse models of cardiac development and disease. Experience in generating, processing and analysing/interpreting next-generation sequencing data (scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, CUR&RUN), as well as an excellent publication record in peer-reviewed journals is desirable. The postholder will be part of a vibrant multi-disciplinary research centre working on several different aspects of understanding mechanisms and identifying novel advanced therapies for cardiovascular diseases, within the King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence which has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 36 months.

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent.

• Develop and undertake research of top-level international standards consistent with making a full active research contribution in line with the School research strategy

• Manage own academic research and administrative activities in line with an agreed timeline and within a specific budget including testing hypotheses, collecting and analysing scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypothesis as appropriate, literature reviews, report writing.

• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols.

• Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment to generate high quality data, and to provide samples to assist in other projects within the research group.  

• Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings to internal academic meetings and external professional conferences, and to contribute to the internal and external visibility of the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences 

• Work as a conscientious and committed member of the team in order to achieve the aims of the projects and the primary care group.

• Facilitate collaboration and networking which engages and supports the activities of the project

• Participate in educational activities as appropriate to the career stage

• Liaise with the administrative team for the support of the project

• Contribute to publications arising from this project

• Assist with the supervision and training of students, technical staff and other researchers as appropriate.

• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be relevant to the role outline.  

Essential criteria  

1.      Must hold or be near completion of a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Genetics, Cardiovascular Development, Molecular Biology or a relevant related science.

2.     Strong background of working with animal models of development and/or cardiovascular disease, preferably experience with mice.

3.     Must have or be capable of obtaining, a Home Office PIL to conduct require procedures.

4.     Have a high level of technical competence in developmental, molecular and/or cell biology methods and techniques e.g., mouse embryology, tissue dissection and histology; confocal microscopy; immunohistochemistry/multiplex
in situ hybridisation HCR/RNAscope; flow cytometry and FACS; preparation of libraries for next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics.    

5.     Experience of tissue/cell culture.

6.     Strong evidence of good written presentation skills, communication skills (written & verbal), and good IT skills.

7.     Experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication and evidence of active participation in scholarly meetings.

8.     Demonstrate self-motivation, ability to work independently, as well as being willing and able to work as part of a team.

9.     Commitment to continuing personal and professional development.

10.   Able to carry out know/learnt techniques unsupervised, and flexible/able to change in current professional context.

11.   Able to plan and prioritise workload and keep clear and well-organised laboratory notes and records.

12.   Able to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.

Desirable criteria:  

1.      Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project.

2.     Excellent publication record in peer-reviewed journals.  

3.     Experience in gene-modified models including breeding strategy and genotyping and strong computational skills to analyse next-generation sequencing data.