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- Tasks: Join our team to explore immune responses and develop treatments for food allergies.
- Company: King's College London is a leading research institution in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work culture, collaboration opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking research that could change lives and improve health outcomes.
- 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 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 9 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
Department: Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology
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.
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Research Associate employer: Euraxess
Contact Detail:
Euraxess Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the immunology field, especially those who have connections to King's College London. Attend relevant conferences or seminars where you can meet researchers from the Santos Lab and express your interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest research on food allergies and oral tolerance. Being well-versed in current studies will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the lab's focus area.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous research experiences in detail, particularly any work involving flow cytometry or cell culture. Highlight specific projects where you contributed significantly, as this will showcase your hands-on skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication skills by preparing to explain complex scientific concepts in simple terms. This is crucial for collaboration within the team and when presenting findings, so practice articulating your research clearly.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand 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 job advert. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasise any relevant laboratory experience, particularly in immunology and techniques like 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
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with the latest research in immunology, particularly related to food allergies. Be prepared to discuss how your background and skills align with the specific projects at the Santos Lab.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with other researchers, highlight any previous collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you contributed to team projects and how you can foster a positive work culture.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your experience with flow cytometry, cell culture, and data analysis. Brush up on these techniques and be ready to discuss your hands-on experience and any challenges you've overcome.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in research settings. Prepare to discuss your experience in writing reports and manuscripts, and be ready to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely during the interview.
