The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s College London is one of the largest and most successful centres for research and education in the UK, with extensive global partnerships. The Faculty has six Schools, one of which is the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences (SIMS), in which this post will be based. The School consists of four Departments: the Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, the Department of Infectious Diseases, the Department of Inflammation Biology and the Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies. Collectively, the School conducts high-quality research, education and training in immunobiology, inflammation biology, infection and liver studies in the context of health and disease.

 

The Taams lab is based in the Department of Inflammation Biology. We are located on the Guy’s Campus, in the Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), adjacent to London Bridge in a vibrant part of London.

 

Do you have a solid background in immunology with a strong interest in translational research? Do you wish to broaden your horizon, support ongoing research, learn new technologies and join a friendly, ambitious and fun lab? Then this research assistant position may be of interest to you! 

 

We are looking for a Research Assistant to join the laboratory of Prof Leonie Taams at King’s College London. The successful candidate will offer high quality laboratory research support for a number of projects in the lab including a Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award-funded project, aimed at identifying the cellular and molecular drivers of pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, the role holder will provide technical support for the processing of rheumatological samples (human blood, synovial fluid and synovial tissue samples) for ongoing studies in the Taams lab and our collaborators.

 

We are looking for someone with a good basic understanding of immunobiology, with an interest in applying their knowledge to the study of human inflammatory arthritis, and who has excellent organisational and technical skills. Previous experience in human blood and tissue sample processing, storage and recording is essential. Other essential criteria include demonstrable experience in human immune and/or stromal cell culture, cytokine detection assays, multi-parameter flow cytometry (e.g. Fortessa, Canto, CytoFlex) and molecular biology skills. The successful candidate will have knowledge of HTA and health and safety regulations. A proactive and problem-solving attitude, excellent data analysis and record keeping skills as well as strong interpersonal, communication and time management skills are essential.

 

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 15 months.

 

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the  Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the  Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.