Research Assistant

at  Kings College London

Job id: 103525. Salary: £38,282 - £42,999 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 07 January 2025. Closing date: 21 January 2025.
Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
Contact details: Dr Amanda Fitzpatrick. Amanda.fitzpatrick@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Research.
About us
The Fitzpatrick CNS metastasis lab is based in the Innovation Hub of Guy’s Cancer Centre and investigates the biological phenotype of tumour cells capable of metastatic spread to the central nervous system. Patient-derived models developed from cerebrospinal fluid samples and organotropic cell line models are used to unpick cell biophysical properties and tumour microenvironment and to help elucidate novel treatment targets.
About the role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated research assistant with an interest in cell biology to join the Fitzpatrick lab. You will work closely with the lab group leader and have the opportunity to acquire skills in a wide range of techniques such as mammalian cell culture, 3D culture systems, liquid biopsy and DNA extraction, next-generation sequencing, proteomics and functional assays including CRISPR and siRNA.
This post is suited to a candidate with previous experience as a wet lab scientist, who would like to gain more technical skills and explore novel methodologies and hypotheses in this specific project area.

Key responsibilities:

• In vitro functional interrogation of patient-derived models and organotropic cell line models
• Establishing protocols for co-cultures to model the leptomeningeal and brain tissue microenvironments
• Analysis and interpretation of data generated
• Maintaining database and ordering scientific reagents
• Processing clinical samples including blood and CSF

This is a full-time post and you will be offered a fixed-term contract until 1st February 2027.
About You
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Masters degree in a Biological Science subject
• Experience of mammalian cell culture
• Competent in the technical validation, troubleshooting and optimisation of scientific methods
• Competent in the use of standard statistical analysis packages and interpretation of results
• Experience of conducting a scientific project to completion with write up and presentation of findings
• Ability to work both independently and within a team, with good communication and organizational skills
• Willing to handle clinical samples and obtain appropriate Occupational Health clearance

Desirable criteria

• PhD in Biological Sciences (achieved or underway)
• Experience of Next Generation sequencing or Proteomic sequencing and analysis
• Experience of 3D culture systems
• Co-author on scientific publication

Further information
This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong 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.
The interview date is to be confirmed, and it is anticipated in mid/late January 2025

• In vitro functional interrogation of patient-derived models and organotropic cell line models
• Establishing protocols for co-cultures to model the leptomeningeal and brain tissue microenvironments
• Analysis and interpretation of data generated
• Maintaining database and ordering scientific reagents
• Processing clinical samples including blood and CS