King's College London

About Us

Human disease normally starts within cells and spreads spatially, therefore techniques that can probe the spatial distribution of biomarkers in and within cells are in high demand.  SEISMIC is a BBSRC national facility for spatially resolved single and sub-cellular omics, and will be relocating to Kings College London in May 2025, aligned with Kings strategic initiative in Interdisciplinary Science.

The aim of SEISMIC is to develop a new set of tools to enable bio-scientists from across the UK to explore spatial and temporal omics markers.  We currently support researchers from approximately 20 research groups working across BBSRC’s remit and are developing new instrumentation from the Yokogawa Corporation, the SS2000, to sample cells, or sub-cellular compartments into capillaries, followed by mass spectrometry analysis of lipids, metabolites, metals and proteins.

About the role

The purpose of this role is to develop new mass spectrometry techniques that can be used to enable users of the facility to make new measurements of material sampled using the SEISMIC facility.  Analysis of single-cells using mass spectrometry is challenging, and yet analysis of sub-cellular compartments is the next frontier, possible at SEISMIC and in high demand by biologists.  Kings have recently made a significant investment in mass spectrometry instrumentation, to enable the development of this approach by capillary sampling and mass spectrometry. 

The post holder will work with the SEISMIC team and KCL core facilities team to develop new mass spectrometry techniques that can be used to analyse capillary sampled cells and their sub-cellular compartments.  They will be encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences, and work with users of the facility to demonstrate proof of concept applications.  They will be encouraged to submit applications for funding, for example for fellowships to support their future career. 

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a 2 year fixed term contract.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. PhD qualified in relevant subject area *
2. Experience in analytical science
3. Experience in mass spectrometry
4. Experience of presenting research in oral and poster presentations
5. Track record of peer reviewed publications

Desirable criteria

1. Expertise in single cell or capillary sampling        
2. Expertise in omics techniques    

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

* 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. 

Further Information

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 will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held a week following the advert closing.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.