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- Tasks: Join our team to explore immune responses in food allergies and contribute to groundbreaking research.
- Company: Be part of King's College London, a leading institution in life sciences and medicine.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food allergy treatments while collaborating with passionate researchers.
- Qualifications: PhD in immunology or related field; lab experience in immunology and cell culture required.
- Other info: Full-time role with a 3-year contract, starting November 2025.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 51000 £ per year.
Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 10 Sep 2025 – 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
About Us
The Santos Lab is a clinical translational research group formed of clinicians and scientists at various career stages. Our research focuses on food allergy – improving the diagnosis of food allergy and our understanding of the immune mechanisms of food allergy and oral tolerance to identify new targets for a definitive treatment. We are a friendly, enthusiastic, supportive and inclusive team that thrives on collaboration across disciplines. We are proud of our positive work culture and our shared commitment to making a real impact through outstanding research. We are part of the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine of King’s College London, based in central London, with the lab near London Bridge and the clinical trials unit near Westminster.
About the role
Food allergies are increasing, affect 8% of children and 10% of adults and can be life-threatening. With no cure, patients must avoid allergens and carry emergency medication, leading to restricted social lives and anxiety. While immunotherapy can raise the reaction threshold, it does not eliminate life-style limitations and risk of reactions. Urgent action is needed to develop definitive treatments for food allergies.
Exposure to food allergens through the gastrointestinal tract is tolerogenic. Peanut consumption from the first year of life reduced peanut allergy by 81% in a randomised-controlled trial. This impressive effect was allergen-specific and sustained over time. However, the underlying immune mechanisms of oral tolerance induction to peanut are not well understood.
In this research programme, we will use unique samples from young children undergoing their first oral exposure to peanut to explore the changes in the immune response to peanut induced by oral exposure. This work will be done in close collaboration with the Neves Lab at King’s College London, where a novel co-culture of human gut organoid models will be established with patients’ immune cells. This collaborative effort will allow us to pinpoint key pathways involved in establishing oral tolerance to food allergens and explore how they can be modulated to develop curative treatments for food allergies.
The postdoctoral research associate is expected to develop the project, to maintain accurate records of performed experiments, to analyse and summarize research results, to write reports and manuscripts, to prioritize work and meet deadlines, to join in research group and departmental activities, and to contribute to their positive and inclusive research culture.
This is a full-time post (35 Hours per week), based at Guy’s Campus, and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 3 years, starting no earlier than the 1st November 2025.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- PhD awarded in immunology or related areas *
- Knowledge and relevant laboratorial experience in immunology (preference lymphocytes), including experience with flow cytometry
- Knowledge and relevant laboratorial experience in cell culture
- Very good organisational skills and meticulous at work with strong work ethic and good research practice
- Good communication skills, orally and in writing, along with strong interpersonal skills
- Good track record with previous experience in contributing to the preparation of manuscripts and/or grant applications
*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.
- Evidence of initiative, resilience, proactivity and productivity with high motivation and ability to persevere
- Experience with spectral flow cytometry
- Experience in analysis of scRNAseq data using R
- Experience in working with human blood samples
- Previous experience in supervising/teaching students
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 page. 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.
As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.
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.
Interviews are due to be held between the 18th and 30th of September 2025.
Grade and Salary:£45,031 – £48,607 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID:122405
Close Date:10-Sep-2025
Contact Person:Professor Alexandra F. Santos
Contact Details:Alexandra.santos@kcl.ac.uk
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Research Associate employer: EURAXESS Czech Republic
Contact Detail:
EURAXESS Czech Republic Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of immunology and food allergy research. Attend relevant conferences or seminars where you can meet researchers from King’s College London, especially those associated with the Santos Lab. Building these connections can provide insights into the lab's culture and ongoing projects.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and advancements in food allergy treatments and immunology. Being well-versed in current literature will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the field and the specific work being done at the Santos Lab.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous research experiences in detail, particularly any work involving flow cytometry or cell culture. Be ready to explain how these experiences have equipped you with the skills necessary for the role and how they align with the lab's focus on oral tolerance and immune mechanisms.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your collaborative spirit by highlighting any past teamwork experiences in research settings. The Santos Lab values a positive and inclusive culture, so emphasising your ability to work well with others and contribute to a supportive environment will be beneficial.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the specific skills and experiences required for the Research Associate position. Tailor your application to highlight how your background aligns with their needs.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, clearly address how you meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasise any relevant laboratory experience, particularly in immunology and flow cytometry. Mention any previous contributions to manuscripts or grant applications to showcase your research capabilities.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and supporting statement for any errors or typos. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a research environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at EURAXESS Czech Republic
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with the latest research in food allergies and immunology. Be prepared to discuss how your background aligns with the work being done at the Santos Lab, especially regarding oral tolerance and immune mechanisms.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your relevant laboratory experience, particularly with flow cytometry and cell culture. Be ready to provide specific examples of your past work and how it relates to the role of Research Associate.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since the lab values collaboration, share experiences where you successfully worked in a team. Emphasise your communication skills and how you contribute to a positive and inclusive work culture.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the lab's current projects and future directions. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the lab is the right fit for you.
