Research Associate in Biophysics

# Job description

Applications are invited for a Research Associate post in Prof. Ulrike Eggert’s group in the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics within the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine at King’s College London. The Eggert group studies how lipids contribute to cell biological processes, especially those involving the cytoskeleton (e.g. Cell *2014*, Nature Reviews Molecular and Cell Biology *2020*). 

 

The researcher working on this project will investigate how the properties of membranes impact their functions.

This project, funded by the BBSRC, aims to understand how cells regulate membrane thickness and how this affects membrane-dependent processes, including those involving the cytoskeleton like cell division and movement. In collaboration with Prof. Stefan Howorka’s lab at UCL, we are developing sensors of membrane thickness, based on DNA nanotechnology. The researcher on this project will apply our successful prototypes to study membrane biology and will be involved in the development of new sensors, including organelle-specific versions. The Research Associate in this post will use techniques such as cell biology, imaging, biophysics and lipidomics.

 

A PhD in a relevant discipline is required (or applicant to be near completion) and an excellent publication record and presentation skills are essential. Applicants with experience in membrane/lipid biology, the cytoskeleton and/or lipidomics are particularly welcome.

Please contact Prof. Eggert (ulrike.eggert@kcl.ac.uk) for any informal discussions. [https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/eggert-group ](http://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/eggert-group )

 

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract until March 2026.

 

This is a full-time  post.# Key responsibilities

- Develop and undertake research of high quality consistent with making a full active research contribution in line with the Division and Faculty research strategy.
- Manage specific pieces of activity to an agreed timeline including literature reviews, data collection and analysis, report writing.
- Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings and papers at internal academic meetings and external professional conferences, and contribute to the internal and external visibility of the Division.
- Work as a conscientious and committed member of the team in order to achieve the aims of the project.
- Facilitate collaboration and networking which engages and supports the activities of the Eggert group.
- Participate in educational activities as appropriate to the stage of your career.
- Be committed to your own personal career development.
- Liaise with the administrative team for the support of the research.
- Contribute to publications arising from this research.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be relevant to the role outline.

*The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.*

# *Skills, knowledge, and experience*

**Essential criteria**

1. PhD in a relevant subject (or close to PhD award)
2. Strong track record in a key subject area (membrane biology, lipid biology, chemical biology, cytoskeleton or similar)
3. Excellent skills in experimental research methods and project design and management
4. An enthusiasm for the research project
5. Good report/paper writing skills and ability to communicate findings verbally to a high standard
6. Ability to interact well with colleagues and work as part of a research team
7. Ability to work independently and act on own initiative, including to solve technical problems
8. Ability to acquire and apply quickly new technical skills appropriate to the project
9. Good time management and organisational skills
10. Knowledge of health and safety procedures

**Desirable criteria**

1. Experience in membrane or lipid biology
2. Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
3. Supervision and teaching of other researchers

 

*\** 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 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.