Research Associate

Job id: 087085. Salary: £43,205 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 28 March 2024. Closing date: 03 April 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: SCMMS Denmark Hill.

Contact details:Professor Mauro Giacca. [email protected]

Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Research.

Applications are invited for a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral scientist to join Prof Mauro Giacca’s laboratory at the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences at King's College London. The postholder will be part of a vibrant multi-disciplinary research group operating across different research themes in cardiac biology, having the specific aim to identify novel targets and develop therapeutic approaches for cardiac repair and regeneration.

In particular, the post holder will investigate the regenerative properties of a series of small RNAs that the laboratory has recently identified by performing whole-organ, high resolution 3D reconstruction of the regenerated hearts using optical imaging techniques. This will include analysis of the spatial distribution and arrangement of proliferating cardiomyocytes and mapping of fibrosis.

Minimum qualifications are PhD and/or MD with strong expertise in molecular, cellular, biochemical biology and imaging. Excellent publication history is required. Candidates should be highly motivated individuals with excellent communication skills, and have the ability to work independently. The post holder will have the opportunity to write and publish results of research studies in high impact score peer-reviewed journals and report research results at international conferences. A contribution to undergraduate/postgraduate education will be part of the job.

The post is based within the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences at the James Black Centre (King’s Denmark Hill campus) as part of the King’s College London BHF Centre of Research Excellence. The School provides an excellent highly multidisciplinary environment with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 1 year, with the possibility of renewal during the course of the employment. 

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

• Engage in internationally-leading research and take a role in determining the future path of this research
• Manage specific tasks of activity to an agreed timeline and within a specific budget including literature reviews, data collection and analysis, report writing and preparation of presentations.
• Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings and papers at internal academic meetings and external professional conferences, and contribute to the internal and external visibility of the host laboratory and the School.
• Work as a conscientious and committed member of the team in order to achieve the aims of the projects.
• Facilitate collaboration and networking which engages and supports the activities of the Giacca group.
• Contribute to the supervision of PhD and Master students.
• Be committed to his/her own personal career development.
• Liaise with the administrative team for the support of the research.
• Contribute to publications arising from this research.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be relevant to the role outline.

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

Desirable criteria

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.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.