King's College London

About Us

The Centre for Human & Applied Physiological Sciences (CHAPS) is situated within the School of Basic & Medical Biosciences (within the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine), which is led by Professor Mathias Gautel and comprises five departments with a wide range of expertise and interests. Using a bench to bedside approach, the School aims to answer fundamental questions about biology in health and disease and apply this knowledge to the development of new and innovative clinical practise, alongside providing a rigorous academic programme for students.

About the role

The Centre for Human & Applied Physiological Sciences (CHAPS) is seeking a dynamic individual for the role of research associate in human autonomic cardiorespiratory control.

This department has a focus on fundamental questions regarding human physiological function and adaptation in health and disease and occupies an important nexus between basic biomedical sciences, clinical and applied research. It comprises four interlinking research groupings operating under an overarching strategy focused on furthering understanding of integrative human physiology. Our research encompasses a unique whole-body systems through to stem cell approaches which is aimed at gaining insight into factors affecting human health, disease, biological ageing and exercise, as well as performance in unique and extreme environments. We are committed to integrative and translational research which is facilitated by collaborations with other research groupings within King’s College London, King’s Health Partners, industry and the military.

The successful candidate will develop a research programme in human cardiorespiratory control, leading to the submission of applications for a personal fellowship.  The candidate will also make contributions to teaching. The post holder will be embedded in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment, where 75% of research is rated 4* (world leading; UoA24 REF2021). The appointee will join an interactive group of investigators with expertise across a whole range of research groupings: Aerospace & Environmental Physiology & Medicine, Respiratory Physiology & Medicine, Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle: Form & Function and Neural Control of Human Movement. Our department is responsible for the delivery of post graduate programmes in Human & Applied Physiology (MSc), Aerospace Medicine (Diploma / MSc) as well as the BSc in Sport & Exercise Medical Sciences.

Applications from individuals with research strengths in autonomic control of the cardiovascular system in health and diseases and with expertise in microneurography particularly welcome.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a two year fixed contract from 01/09/2025 to 31/08/2025.

About You

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

Essential criteria

1. PhD in human physiology *
2. A physiologist with expertise and a research track record in autonomic control of cardiorespiratory function in humans in both health and disease
3. Experience of key techniques – including microneurography and ultrasound
4. Track record of publications in high impact journals commensurate with experience
5. Record of attracting funding commensurate with experience and career stage
6. Experience in teaching at undergraduate and post-graduate levels with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
7. Ability to work well as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team and to share and encourage good practice
8. The ability to take individual responsibility for planning and undertaking own work, according to deadlines

* 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

Desirable criteria

1. Experience in human thermoregulatory physiology

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.

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.

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