At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in groundbreaking research on arthritis pain using advanced techniques and mouse models.
- Company: Join a leading neuroscience team at King's College London, focused on innovative pain research.
- Benefits: Full-time role with professional development opportunities and a supportive research environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in understanding pain and contribute to developing new therapies.
- Qualifications: BSc/Master's in relevant fields and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a dynamic research setting.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Dr George Goodwin is a Research Fellow supported by Arthritis UK. His research aims to develop a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of arthritis pain to enable the development of more effective analgesic drugs. You will join Dr Goodwin's laboratory, based in the Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre.
The Wolfson SPaRC (Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Centre) is one of four departments in the School of Neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. The department is located on the Guy's Campus in a dedicated building which was generously supported by the Wolfson Foundation.
Research in the department spans three main themes: Chronic Pain & Migraine, Spinal Cord & Brain Repair, and Hearing Loss & Sensory Systems. Our fundamental mission is to understand the biological mechanisms behind these neurological and sensory disorders and harness this knowledge to develop new therapeutic strategies. We have world-leading experts who interrogate these conditions at the genetic, molecular, cellular, and whole systems level. Cross-cutting strengths lie in our world-leading expertise in neuroplasticity, interdisciplinary neuro-immune research, high-throughput sequencing technologies, drug discovery and advanced therapeutics. We have excellent facilities to support our parallel use of pre-clinical cell and in vivo models, alongside human cellular models, which provide an essential platform for us to forward- and back-translate our fundamental research to and from the clinic.
We are looking for a Research Assistant to join Dr George Goodwin's group within the Wolfson SPaRC, in the School of Neurosciences at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London. George's group is focused on understanding the neurobiology of arthritis pain. He recently received a 5-year career development fellowship from Arthritis UK that is focused on understanding the role of silent nociceptors in arthritis pain. The project involves the use of a variety of techniques, including in vivo calcium imaging, transgenic mouse lines, chemo genetics, behaviour and histology to study silent nociceptors in mouse models of rheumatoid- and osteo-arthritis.
The successful candidate will be responsible for general mouse colony management, as well as performing and assisting in in vivo mouse experiments and downstream laboratory experiments. They will record, analyse and write up the results of experiments, as well as support and assist other lab members. The candidate will be a dedicated researcher with enthusiasm towards high quality research, teamwork, and effective organisation.
This role is funded by Arthritis UK: MT/CDF/23267. This is a full time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 3 years. Research staff at King's are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- Essential criteria
- Hold a BSc and/or Master's degree 2:1 or higher in a relevant discipline (e.g. Neuroscience, Physiology, Pharmacology, Biological sciences)
- Hold a Home Office Personal License PIL A & B
- Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing as well as orally
- Excellent planning and organisational skills including ability to work to and meet firm deadlines
- Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team
- Good problem-solving skills
- Experience of running PCRs for genotyping and managing transgenic mouse colonies
- Experience of handling and/or performing behavioural tests in rodents
- Experience of performing immunohistochemistry and/or fluorescence microscopy
- Experience of basic molecular biology (WB, qPCR etc)
- Knowledge of the pain or neuroscience fields
Research Assistant at Wolfson SPaRC in London employer: King's College London
Contact Detail:
King's College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant at Wolfson SPaRC in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Wolfson SPaRC on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Dr Goodwin's research. Familiarise yourself with the latest studies on arthritis pain and be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to the team’s goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your enthusiasm! During interviews, let your passion for neuroscience and research shine through. Share personal experiences that highlight your dedication and teamwork skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Wolfson SPaRC team.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant at Wolfson SPaRC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. We want to see how your background in neuroscience or related fields makes you a great fit for our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for the role and explain why you're passionate about researching arthritis pain. Let us know what excites you about joining Dr Goodwin's lab.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since effective communication is key, make sure your application reflects your ability to convey complex ideas clearly. Whether it's in your writing or through examples of past teamwork, we want to see your skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of the StudySmarter family right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at King's College London
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with Dr George Goodwin's work and the specific research themes at Wolfson SPaRC. Be prepared to discuss how your background in neuroscience or related fields aligns with their focus on arthritis pain and neurobiology.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Highlight your relevant skills, especially those mentioned in the job description like mouse colony management, in vivo experiments, and molecular biology techniques. Prepare examples of past experiences where you successfully applied these skills.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the lab's current projects, future directions, or the team dynamics. It shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively. Share examples of how you've contributed to a team in previous roles, as teamwork is crucial in a research environment. Show that you're not just a great researcher but also a supportive colleague.