Research Associate - London, United Kingdom - King's College London

King's College London

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Job description

We have recently treated our first patient on the TRIBUTE (T Regulatory cells for Inflammatory Bowel disease Using ex vivo Treg Expansion) trial (NCT , funded by the Medical Research Council UK.

This is a very exciting milestone as we seek to find new treatments for patients with Crohn's disease.

This is a critical first step to test the hypothesis that we can reset aberrant immune responses by the transfer of autologous, highly purified naïve regulatory T cells (Tregs) that are programmed to traffic to the inflamed intestine of patients with Crohn's.

We are also undertaking research to understand the fundamental immune mechanisms that Tregs control in human disease to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

This position will be involved in analysing blood and tissue samples from these patients to identify biomarkers of response and immune modulation before and after Treg therapy.

The post will be based in a well-established immunology laboratory that has significant experience of basic immunology, biomarker development and early phase clinical trials, particularly related to inflammatory bowel disease.

We have very strong clinical collaborations and an experienced clinical trial support team that will help to support this post.

The post will report to Graham Lord, the Chief Scientific Investigator of the TRIBUTE study and Peter Irving, the Chief Investigator of the trial.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract until 31st March 2024

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

To take initiatives in the planning of research and coordination of samples with clinicians and others involved in the trial.
To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times.
To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings.
To prepare material for presentation in oral and poster formats.
To present findings to colleagues and at conferences.
To draft publications and prepare them for submission to refereed journals.
To provide guidance and supervision to other staff and students associated with the lab.
To be an active teammember and set positive examples by showing a commitment to achieving results, encouraging and supporting junior members of the team and raising suggestions for continuous improvement.
To work alongside the PI and other colleagues in a collegiate manner and build rapport within the team.
To develop contacts and research collaborations within the Faculty and the wider community.
To promote the reputation of the laboratory, Faculty and wider University
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post._

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

Hold a PhD in Immunology or a related biological science.
BSc (hons) in a biological sciences-related area
Extensive and up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge in immunology-focussed laboratory research
Proven technical skills in processing tissues to study immune cells
Experience in analysis of immune cells (e.g. flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing, imaging)
Ability to use initiative to efficiently plan, optimise and progress project and communicate findings
Evidence of completing previous research projects and publishing results
Extensive IT skills (including experience with flow cytometry analysis software and general data analysis software such as GraphPad Prism)
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with colleagues at all levels
Good written and spoken English
A willingness to contribute to the work of others by offering practical and intellectual help

Desirable criteria