Research Associate – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative supporting research to fill the major knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause dementia. We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a change in our understanding of neurodegeneration and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat and ultimately prevent dementia.

Dementia is a major health challenge of our century – currently affecting fifty million people worldwide, projected to triple by 2050, with huge financial, emotional and social impact on people directly affected, their carers, families and the community. Dementia is a symptom of several neurodegenerative disorders, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for about 60% of cases. To date, there is no way to prevent or even slow the rate of progression of neurodegeneration.

Professors Jernej Ule and Benjamin Blencowe are seeking a Research Associate to join a team of researchers working on the Wellcome funded project Context-dependent RNA regulation and its application in auto-gating therapeutics for brain disorders. This project runs until 2032. The post is based at the Francis Crick Institute, where the joint Blencowe/Ule satellite lab is located. The lab consists of six researchers including PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and a technician.

The successful candidate will focus on the design and testing of auto-gating therapeutics in the iNeuron models of neurologic diseases, which will also involve the generation and culture of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, their differentiation into neurons and analyses with transcriptomics and imaging, thus contributing to relevant publications in collaboration with other team members.

Some of the key skills involved include:

• Planning and performing high quality research under co-supervision of Ben Blencowe and Jernej Ule and in collaboration with other team members.
• Preparing figures, summarising the results and playing a leading role in writing the manuscripts to be submitted to peer-review journals.
• Supervision of visiting and rotating students related to the post holder’s work.
• Contributing to the multidisciplinary research strategy of the Centre and department.
• Attend, contribute and present at international conferences as well as internal meetings at UK DRI, Departmental and with external collaborators as appropriate.
• Regular interaction with collaborators and coordination of joint work.
• Ensuring the highest standard of record keeping, maintaining accurate, complete, and up to date records.
• Continue professional development, including participation in staff development and review procedures in accordance with King’s guidelines, including annual formal appraisal.

This is a full‑time post (35 hours per week) and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 2030. 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 PhD in Molecular or Cellular Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience with molecular biology of ribonucleoprotein complexes and RNA regulation.
• Experience in genome editing techniques.
• Experience with high‑throughput sequencing and its analysis.
• Experience in immunostaining, microscopy and image analysis.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take initiative in problem‑solving and experimental troubleshooting.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.

*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

• Experience with working with iPSC cells.
• Experience with Transcriptomics.
• Experience with the studies of protein‑RNA condensates.