Research Associate for Chemical/Elemental Imaging

Job description 

At the Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology at King’s College London a vacancy exists for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to operate as part of an exciting project focusing on molecular characterisation of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using multimodal bioimaging. The aim of the presently available PDRA is to drive forward a new paradigm of Raman/FTIR and mass spectrometry that enables comprehensive molecular characterisation of TNBC tissues to provide new insights into clinical diversity and identification of biomarkers for diagnostics, prognostics and novel therapeutic targets.   

This is a highly multidisciplinary project so the post holder should be enthusiastic about collaborative and interdisciplinary research, be highly motivated to develop as an independent scientist, have a strong work-ethic and demonstrate excellent scientific and English communication skills. 

The post holder will be responsible to the line manager (Dr Mads S Bergholt, Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology and Dr Andrew Chan, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science) with regular interactions with the PI of the project (Prof Maddy Parsons, Randall Centre). The ideal applicant will have experience in analytical sciences, mass spectrometry, IR, Raman spectroscopy, and statistics/programming in the Matlab/python environment. The PDRA will join a vibrant, multidisciplinary team at King’s College London working on various aspects of optical microscopy, disease characterisation and biophotonics.  

This post will be offered on  a fixed-term contract until 31th December 2022 in the first instance with a possibility of a further 2 year extension 

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

Key responsibilities 

• conducting research on the project, as directed by the Principal Investigator (PI), with a significant degree of autonomy. The post holder may be required to help supervise the work of more junior researchers.   
• develop their research focussing on integrated Raman/FTIR and mass spectrometry as well as sample characterisation and data analysis. 
• contribute to the writing of external funding bids, helping to supervise PhD students, publishing in the highest quality journals and conferences.  
• Regularly interact with other Wellcome Leap team members to assist with data integration 
• Contribute to the research profile of King’s College London 
• Carry out a limited number of additional activities in support of the academic work such as participation in demonstrations for industry visitors or public engagement activities. 
• Help supervise projects on the integrated Raman/FTIR/mass spectrometry technology.  

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  

1.       PhD in relevant area 

2.       Instrumental development 

3.       Analytical methods appropriate to the post 

4.       IR spectroscopy 

5.       Sensing 

6.       Matlab or Python skills  

7.       Applications of advanced imaging to biomedicine 

Desirable criteria

1.       Mass spectrometry 

2.       Raman spectroscopy 

3.       Optics/Photonics 

* 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.