Research Assistant in Leukaemia Epigenetic, DDR and Replication Stress

King's College London - Comprehensive Cancer Centre

About us:

Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology group is led by Professor Eric So, who is funded by the partner organisations including CRUK, Blood Cancer UK, KKLF, and UGC. The group is interested in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic conversion of normal cells into AML stem cells, and how cellular and molecular heterogeneity influence the biology and treatment responses of the disease. Currently, we have particular focuses on transcriptional/epigenetic regulation and DNA damage responses. Our ultimate goal is to develop novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for the corresponding human diseases.

The laboratory locates in London, Denmark Hill Campus of KCL.

About the role:

The purpose of this post is to develop and expedite projects aimed at characterizing leukemia networks in leukemia using newly developed disease models in the lab. Transcription factors and their associated epigenetic modifying enzymes are frequently deregulated or even mutated in human acute myeloid leukemia (Zeisig et al., 2012, Cancer Cell). Over the years, our lab has focused on characterization of key transcriptional/epigenetic networks and their emerging crosstalk with DNA damage repair (DDR) mechanisms critical for leukemia development (Kwok et al., 2006, Cancer Cell; Zeisig et al., 2007, Cancer Cell; Cheung et al., 2007, Nat Cell Biology; Arteaga et al., 2013, Cancer Cell; Esposito et al., 2015, Nature Medicine; Cheung et al., 2016, Cancer Cell; Luo et al., 2019, Cancer Cell; Zeisig et al., 2021, Science Translational Medicine; Luo et al., 2022, Molecular Cell,). Details about the lab can be found at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/leukaemia-and-stem-cell-biology. Candidates are desirable to have background in areas of DDR, epigenetic gene regulation and/or cancer biology.

This post is aiming to assist Professor So in the design and expediting of his research projects for publication of academic papers and securing of grants.

The post holder will:

1. To help to maintain the general operation of the lab.
2. To introduce appropriate new techniques and procedures, ensuring that all new techniques and procedures techniques are adequately validated and documented and ensure that colleagues are trained in new techniques and procedures.
3. To directly participate research projects.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract for 18 months.

About you: (the candidate)

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. MRes or PhD in a biomedical sciences subject or equivalent
2. A thorough knowledge of cell and molecular biology
3. Proficiency in performing experimental procedures with animal (mouse), biological samples, laboratory information systems
4. Competent in the interpretation and technical validation of results
5. Ability to work as part of a team and independently, and to respond accordingly to changes in the workload (e.g. be flexible to work outside normal working hour)
6. Experience in handling mouse or maintenance of colony.

Desirable criteria

1. Master or PhD in which investigations of epigenetic regulation/DDR/Biochemistry formed a substantial part
2. Relevant publication in peer-reviewed journal
3. Experience in the study of transcriptional/epigenetic processes
4. Experience of procedures used in the characterisation of haemopoiesis, including xenotransplantation models