<!--anchor--> <!--anchor--> Research Associate <!--anchor-->

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Strand, ENGLAND
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

We are seeking to appoint a cell biologist, or a biophysicist (preferably with a PhD in Cell Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physics, or related disciplines) interested in mechanobiology and with proved experience in cellular mechanics. This project aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning the molecular mechanisms by which extracellular mechanical forces travel long distances inside the cell to reach the nucleus on biologically-related timescales. The project requires extensive experience in cell biology techniques. Overall, the project encompasses the single molecule to the single cell length-scales, and will employ confocal microscopy, optogenetics, and cell mechanics techniques, including AFM, Magnetic tweezers, cell cyclic stretching and microfluidics. The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Within King’s, you will be part of the department of Physics, which belongs to the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES). Supporting our staff is important to us and we offer a range of provision including flexible working, caring support, and training opportunities. The university is making significant investment in the Faculty and both student and staff numbers are growing. Our staff come from over 45 countries and around 56% of our students are from outside the UK.  

The study of Physics at King's dates back to the foundation of the College in 1829. The Department is currently undergoing significant growth with substantial investment in new appointments, research infrastructure and laboratory space refurbishment. We offer a range of BSc (three-year) and MSci (four-year) undergraduate courses as well as MSc and PhD programmes. 

This post will be offered on an a fixed term contract for 18 months 

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


  • Develop high quality research in the field of single cell mechanics and tissue mechanobiology
  • Contribute to publications arising from this project
  • Contribute fully to developing and enhancing the research profile of the Department, Faculty, and University, including establishing a track record of high-quality publications
  • Use new research techniques and methods
  • Identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio

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.

Essential criteria

1.       Hold a PhD in Cell biology, Biophysics, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics or equivalent

2.       Extensive experience with cell culture and cell biology techniques (transfection, stable cell lines, etc)

3.       Experience in mechanobiology-related techniques

4.       Experience with confocal/spinning disk microscopy

5.       Experience with cell mechanics (AFM, Cell Magnetic tweezers, cyclic stretching, microfluidics, etc) experiments

6.       Experience in student supervision

7.       Experience in grant writing and project design

Desirable criteria

1.       Experience in protein design, cloning, expression and purification

2.       Experience with CRISPR techniques

3.       Experience with gene expression techniques

4.       Experience with super resolution imaging

5.       Experience in Mass spectrometry characterization of proteins

6.       Experience with single molecule nanomechanical experiments (AFM/Magnetic Tweezers/Optical Tweezers).

7.       Programming skills



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