Research Associate

Research in the Agromayor and Martin-Serrano groups aims to understand the interplay between mechanical forces, membrane remodelling and cell function during processes like cell division or tissue homeostasis. Our research is curiosity driven and, although the projects in our labs had their origins in viral systems, many have now evolved into biochemistry and cell biology questions. Our laboratories are based in the School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, within the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm ). 

This is a vibrant research environment, hosting clinicians and scientists from a variety of international settings and research interests, acting as a nucleator for novel cross-disciplinary collaborative networks. We are committed to advancing a positive research culture which focuses not just on research outcomes but on how we conduct our research. In our labs we have an open-door policy, that favours transparency and highlights the importance of research integrity, promoting an atmosphere of curiosity and honesty, where innovation and teamwork are prioritised and staff at all career stages can prosper.

We are seeking to appoint a cell/molecular biologist with a PhD in Cell/Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or related disciplines. The purpose of this role is to conduct a specified programme of research as a Post-doctoral Research Associate. The candidate will be hardworking with a proven scientific track record, will have a strong background in molecular biology, cell biology and microscopy. 

You will be in a supportive and nurturing environment where we want you to succeed and will work with members of Dr Agromayor’s and Professor Juan Martin-Serrano’s research groups. We will actively support postdoctoral fellowship applications to outside funding organisations. 

Project description: The nucleus is a dynamic organelle capable of sensing multiple environmental inputs. Importantly, whilst mechanical forces can impact nuclear shape, nuclear morphology also contributes to cellular function. Thus, deformations of the nuclear envelope (NE) can be sensed either as physiological signals that will modulate tissue homeostasis or as detrimental perturbations that can lead to disease development. 

You will be responsible for the delivery of BBSRC-funded research aiming to investigate how signalling from NE deformations is regulated and to identify the molecular mechanisms that differentiate physiological and pathological NE deformations. This project builds on our recent work describing the interplay between the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) machinery and the LINC complex ( DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.10.022).

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Monica Agromayor ([email protected] ) and Professor Juan Martin-Serrano ([email protected] ) 

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until May 2027.

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

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description.

*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.

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

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. To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

This role does meet the requirements of the Home Office and therefore we are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who require the right to work in the UK.