King's College London

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

About Us

The Department of Infectious Diseases is a constituent department of the School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences with KCL’s Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine. It comprises a vibrant scientific and clinical community of multidisciplinary research groups engaged in basic and translational investigations of the biology, immunopathogenesis, vaccinology and clinical management of human microbial pathogens. Current areas of research include the biology and immunology of HIV/AIDS, SARS CoV-2 and influenza viruses as well as host interactions, immune evasion and antimicrobial resistance of enteric and respiratory bacterial pathogens. The department also studies basic and translational immunology and inflammation science. In addition, we have key interactions with infection-specialised clinical colleagues at Guys and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital Trusts.

The Swanson lab studies how viruses manipulate cellular RNA metabolism and RNA binding proteins to complete their replication cycle and how antiviral RNA binding proteins inhibit viruses. We are also characterising how transposable elements are regulated and lead to inflammatory responses.

About the role

We are seeking a talented and committed postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) to join the Swanson lab. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, performing, analysing and presenting experimental work to understand how RNA modifications regulate viral replication.

RNA modifications regulate many steps of gene expression. The most common RNA modification in mRNA, m6A, is found in both viral and cellular transcripts. However, it remains unclear whether m6A regulates viral replication by altering viral gene expression, viral RNA sensing or cellular gene expression. It is also not clear which cellular proteins read the relevant m6A modifications in the context of viral infection and whether their deposition is controlled. In addition, there are several other RNA modifications, including m1A and pseudouridine, that may also regulate viral replication or sensing by antiviral proteins. The PRDA will characterise how RNA modifications affect multiple viruses including influenza A virus.

This is a full time (35 hours per week) post, and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 7th December 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 qualified in relevant subject area *
2. Clear potential for publication of their postgraduate work in leading high-profile biomedical journals
3. Excellent written and presentational skills
4. Experience in handling, culture and propagation of influenza A virus
5. Extensive experience in molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology techniques including producing CRISPR knockout cell lines
6. Experience in identifying RNA modification sites in viral or cellular RNA
7. Ability to work collegially within a team and with external collaborators

* 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 handling and the molecular manipulation of SARS-CoV-2
2. Experience supervising BSc student projects
3. Experience presenting at scientific conferences
4. Experience performing western blotting 
5. Experience performing quantitative RT-PCR  

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.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.