Research Associate

at  Kings College London

Job id: 087846. Salary: £43,205-£45,521 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 15 April 2024. Closing date: 16 June 2024.
Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Randall Cell & Molecular Biophysics.
Contact details: Dr. Angika Basant. angika.basant@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Research.
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Job Description
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate position in Dr. Angika Basant’s group at the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London.
The Basant group, funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust, seeks to understand how tyrosine phosphatases regulate cell signalling. This large family of enzymes has been highly understudied compared to its kinase counterpart. We investigate these phosphatases in the context of signalling to the actin cytoskeleton and in virus-infected cells.
The researcher appointed will focus on candidate phosphatases that have been validated to regulate actin dynamics during infection with the poxvirus Vaccinia. How do these phosphatases function, what are their key interactors, how do they recognise substrates, how do they impact signalling dynamics and outputs? The broader goal is to contextualise these findings in uninfected cells and, with the help of a collaborator, in other viral infections. The researcher appointed will take advantage of, and further develop, a Vaccinia virus-based signalling platform, as well as cutting-edge molecule counting and optogenetics tools available in the lab. Experience in phosphatase biology, microscopy, cell signalling or biochemistry is desirable but not mandatory.
A PhD in a relevant discipline is required (or applicant to be near completion). A high-quality publication record and effective science communication skills are essential. International applicants are welcome.
Please reach out to Dr. Angika Basant (angika.basant@kcl.ac.uk) for informal discussions.
This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract initially for 36 months. This is a full-time post. Earlies start date is 1st August 2024.
Key Rsponsibilities
Independently manage and execute specific aspects of the research project (including literature reviews, data collection and analysis, report writing) to an agreed timeline
Attend and present research findings at internal academic meetings and external professional conferences
Contribute to publications arising from this research
Facilitate collaboration and networking opportunities for the lab
Be committed to your personal career development goals and work collaboratively with your PI to achieve these
Communicate and collaborate effectively with other researchers working in the lab and with administrative teams for support
Assist in laboratory management and training of other lab members
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

• PhD in a relevant discipline (or close to PhD award)
• Strong track record in a key subject area such as cell signalling, cytoskeleton or similar
• Excellent experimental skills and strong ability to lead project design and management
• An enthusiasm for the research questions being addressed in the lab
• Strong communication skills both in writing and for oral presentation
• Collegiality and ability to work well in a research team
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, learn new skills and troubleshoot technical problems
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Scientific rigor and integrity
• Good practice in health and safety procedures

Desirable criteria

• Experience in supervision and teaching of other researchers
• Knowledge of phosphatase biology and/or phosphotyrosine signalling
• Experience in biochemistry and/or proteomics
• Experience in microscopy
• 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.

Please refer the Job description for details