Research Assistant - Internal - Strand WCR LS

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

King’s is one of the top research-led universities in the UK and was ranked 9th among the UK multi-faculty universities in the Research Excellence Framework (). The lab led by Emily Lu is based in the Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions (CHMI), which is within the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences but is also linked to the Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics.

Research within the CHMI explores how the interactions between microorganisms, host cells and environmental factors affect health, disease and wellbeing, with expertise in microbiology, immunology, cellular and structural biology, data science, and bioinformatics.

This research group led by Dr Emily Lu investigates molecular mechanisms that underpin the role of vitamin D in immunoregulation and epithelial defence in a P. gingivalis periodontitis model. Clinically, the group is also interested in investigating the role of vitamin D signalling in specific cohorts of patients affected by chronic diseases and periodontitis. This will reveal the role of vitamin D and associated risk factors in influencing the progression and exacerbation of chronic diseases.

A research assistant position is available in Dr Lu’s lab to run molecular analyses from clinical and in vivo samples. The ideal candidate for the position will have at least basic expertise in macrophage biology and microbiology, experience in eukaryotic and anaerobic bacterial culturing, specifically with P. gingivalis, experience with running single-plex, multiplex immunoassays, qPCR, and Western blots. They should also have experience in generating the in vivo experimental periodontitis model.

They will be responsible for these aspects of the project under the guidance of Dr. Emily Lu, and supervising students who will also be working on aspects of the project.

This is a part time post (3 hours per week), and you will be offered an a fixed term contract until December 2027. However, this could instead be 3 hours per week for 12 months instead.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade
7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.