Post-Doctoral Research Associate

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join our dynamic team involved in a new translational research study investigating treatment response in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
The postholder will play a central role in planning, implementing and evaluating data for the PERSONAL Study (CI - Dr Chris Wincup), collaborating with colleagues at the funder AstraZeneca.
They will be responsible for high level oversight of recruitment, data collection, experimental design and result analysis. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at understanding the pathogenesis of SLE and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
The successful candidate will be instrumental in organising biobanking of biological samples. They will also be integral to the set-up flow cytometry, multi-omics, and CyTOF platforms, whilst also conducting analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tissue samples. They will also be asked to facilitate and coordinate the recruitment of participants to the study, ensure careful coordination of extensively biobanked samples and maintain accurate records of all information collected throughout the course of this study., Research - collection and processing of biological samples; designing planning and executing experiments; developing and running assays; data analysis; maintenance of equipment and stock; preparation of research manuscripts
Clinical - clinical data entry; participant recruitment; research related training for direct patient contact; quality control audits
Administrative - scheduling of collection and study visits; adherence to SOPs; study related adminstration including ethical amendments; training records; laboratory inventory; data sharing
Education/Training - supervision of junior members of the lab team; attendance of conferences; collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.
Other - compliance with Good Clinical Practice, Good Laboratory Practice and other local policies; support development and maintenance of study database; good working relationships between various stakeholders including clinical team , laboratory team and AstraZeneca, Research (Scientific and Technical -The post holder will be central to the collection and processing of biological samples collected as part of this prospective study.
They will work alongside a team of clinical research nurses and study coordinators at King's College Hospital. In addition, they will be responsible for the transfer of samples and data to AstraZeneca laboratories.
· Responsible for designing, planning, and executing experiments as part of the translational research study focusing on SLE.
· Conduct a number of experimental assays, including developing and running cell phenotype experiments (namely with CyTOF, flow cytometry, RNAseq and spatial transcriptomics). In addition to conducting real-time PCR, microarrays, ELISA and cell culture experiments. Previous experience of these techniques is desirable.
· Utilize multiomics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to comprehensively analyze molecular signatures associated with SLE.
· Analyze experimental data using bioinformatics tools and statistical methods to derive meaningful insights into the pathogenesis of SLE.
· Process research samples from whole blood and tissue.
· Participate in all manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations.
· Maintain and operate equipment and instruments used by the research group, including management of stock (such as laboratory reagents).
· Organise shipment of samples to collaborators.
· Maintain accurate records of experimental procedures, results, and findings.
· Prepare research manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals and abstracts for presentation at national and international conferences.
Clinical
· Ensure adequate and accurate recording of all clinical data on the secured study database.
· Assist in participant recruitment to translational studies. Tasks such as phlebotomy may be required (training can be provided if not currently able to perform task).
· Pursue Good Clinical Practice, Human Tissue Act and consent training.
· Assist in quality control audits relating to the research study.
Administrative
Plan timing of biological sample collection and facilitate study visits by liaising with relevant members of clinical and biobanking teams.
Ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ethical guidelines are maintained across research activities relating to this study.
Assist in the generation of study relevant paperwork, including ethical applications and grant writing.
Communicate effectively at all times with all members of the study team and participants.
Work alongside the study team to identify potential participants for the study.
Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Ensure that staff have completed relevant training within the laboratory research team.
Provide assistance in ordering relevant consumables required to run the study and that supplies are adequately stocked.
Ensure laboratory equipment is in good working order and report any defects appropriately.
Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with the Trust policies, particularly in relation to expected / stored samples.
Assisting with the secure sharing of data with other parties involved in the research study.
Ensure the study is conducted in compliance with Good Clinical Practice and the Human Tissue Authority guidelines.
Education and Training
· Provide training to junior members of the laboratory team (including PhD students, clinical research fellows and MSc students). If interested, supervisor roles of MSc students within KCL is possible.
· Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and relevant immunological techniques.
· Attend local, national and international meetings to present findings of this research.
· Opportunities for teaching clinician on immunology will be available, if of interest.
· Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary team members, including clinicians, bioinformaticians, and other researchers, to achieve project goals.
Other
Understand and adhere to Trust policies and procedures.
Maintain patient confidentiality and standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), and contribute to quality assurance activities.
Comply with both local and national standards for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and laboratory information.
Comply with departmental procedural policies on accessing patient related information on the study database.
Develop and maintain research results database.
Autonomously work within the department operating procedures and protocols.
Maintain good working relationships between keen stakeholders in this research study including the Sponsor (King's College Hospital), the Funder (AstraZeneca), the laboratory team (based at the James Black Centre), and rheumatology study teams based at King's College Hospital and Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,500 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley., King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

• Please note - the job may close earlier if sufficient applications received, please contact the team with any questions, + Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust's criminal records checking policy

+ All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
+ Due to a high volume of applications, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. It is therefore recommended that you apply promptly
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