Postdoc Research Associate

About Us

King's College London (KCL) and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) have established a strategic research partnership to advance pioneering investigations in hepatocellular carcinoma immunology. This collaborative initiative offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct innovative research at two globally renowned institutions, each distinguished by their academic excellence and transformative research contributions.

The position is jointly hosted by the Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies at KCL, a center of excellence in hepatology research, and the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at JHU. The successful candidate will join our Medical Research Council-funded program investigating regulatory T cell metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma. Our research employs state-of-the-art technologies, including spatial transcriptomics, multi-omics approaches, and advanced immunological techniques to elucidate the complex interplay between metabolic processes and redox signaling in immune responses.

Through this dual-institution appointment, the postdoctoral research fellow will develop extensive expertise in cancer immunometabolism at the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, a world-leading center in the field. Both institutes maintain exemplary records in translational research, with comprehensive access to clinical specimens and cutting-edge research infrastructure.

This position presents a unique opportunity to contribute to an innovative research environment focused on developing novel therapeutic approaches for liver cancer. The role includes comprehensive professional development support, encompassing conference participation, advanced technical training, and structured mentorship toward research independence.

About the role

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cancer Immunometabolism.

The Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies at King's College London and the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins University announce a Medical Research Council (MRC)-funded postdoctoral research position focusing on cancer immunometabolism. This prestigious 3-year fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct pioneering research at the intersection of metabolism and immune regulation in liver cancer.

The successful candidate will investigate the complex mechanisms governing metabolic processes and redox signalling in immune responses, with particular emphasis on regulatory T cell (Treg) function in hepatocellular carcinoma. This innovative research program will employ cutting-edge technologies, including multi-omics approaches, spatial transcriptomics, and advanced in vivo models to elucidate how various signalling pathways influence anti-tumour immunity. The findings from this work hold significant potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies for liver cancer patients.

This unique position spans Europe's largest clinical-academic liver unit and Johns Hopkins University, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaboration with world-leading experts in immunology, metabolism, and cancer biology. The role offers extensive opportunities for professional development, including conference participation and specialized training programs.

Core Responsibilities

1. Designing and conducting experiments investigating Treg metabolism and function.
2. Performing multi-parameter analyses and analysing complex datasets.
3. Contributing to manuscript preparation and scientific presentations.
4. Developing leadership skills through laboratory management and supervision of junior researchers.

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 Immunology, cancer immunology or related discipline *
2. Strong expertise in cellular immunology and flow cytometry.
3. Experience handling human tissue/blood samples and primary cell culture.
4. Proficiency in molecular biology techniques.
5. Experience in RNA isolation and qPCR with expertise in RNA-seq analysis.
6. Experience in viral gene transduction of immune cells.
7. Expertise in in vivo models.
8. Proven track record of analysing complex datasets.

* 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 with immunometabolism.
2. Skills in multi-parameter data analysis and multi-omics data integration.
3. Experience with ATAC-seq analysis.
4. Knowledge of spatial transcriptomics techniques.
5. Experience with metabolomics or mass spectrometry.

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.

Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae including a complete publication list, a detailed cover letter outlining their suitability for the role, and contact information for three academic references. 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.