Research Assistant

About us

The Tucker lab is looking for a research technician to work on a project funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The post is for three years to study the function of the junctional epithelium using mouse models. The selected applicant will join the vibrant and friendly Tucker lab and work as part of a team interacting with the group of Dr Emily Lu. The Tucker and Lu labs are part of the internationally acclaimed Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology and Centre for Host-microbiome interactions, both housed within Guy’s Hospital at King’s College London.

About the role

A research technician is required to provide laboratory support for the Tucker lab and contribute to a project that aims to understand the role of the junctional epithelium (JE) and its stem cell niche.

The technician will be responsible for establishing and maintaining colonies of genetically modified mice, including fluorescence reporter lines and mice with mutations causing JE defects. In addition, the technician will contribute to the research on the project and support the genetic, molecular and histology work carried out in the Tucker laboratory. Research will include gathering data on JE cellular lineage and validation of spatial transcriptomics. Techniques will include genotyping, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization (including RNAScope), histology techniques, light and confocal microscopy imaging.

The technician will work closely with the PhD students and postdocs in the Tucker lab to aid their experiments and allow smooth running of the lab. Experience in mouse work is essential and an active Home Office Personal Licence or equivalent will be highly desirable. Experience in molecular techniques will be beneficial.

Managerial responsibility will include ensuring smooth running of the lab: ordering, organizing the lab, dealing with risk assessments, CoBRA regulations.

It is expected that the researcher would:

• Work to an appropriate level of health and safety and perform such jobs as required for effective running of the laboratory.
• Maintain an up to date and comprehensible record of laboratory work, to make results accessible and complete.
• Work in a timely and organised fashion to complete pieces of research, produce reports or analyses and contribute to scientific discussion
• Work with others in the group as part of a team and take part in journal groups and other team activities.
• Promote a positive research culture.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30/04/2029.

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.

About you

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

Essential criteria

• BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• Practical mouse handling skills
• Knowledge of use of transgenic mice: models of disease & lineage tracing etc
• Experience of molecular biology/histology
• Experience of confocal imaging
• Team worker

Desirable criteria

• Home office personal licence
• Presentation skills
• Knowledge of bioinformatics

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.