The  Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics is situated within the  School of Basic & Biomedical Sciences (BMBS) and is part of the  Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. It is involved in a wide range of fundamental research projects at the interface between biology, biomedicine, chemistry and physics.

The key focus of this role is to provide advanced technical expertise from knowledge gained from many years working on muscle in the developmental biology field. In addition, there is a necessity to train, advise and help troubleshoot in a number of areas the preparation of frozen samples using liquid nitrogen, and their sectioning on a cryostat.  Another key requirement is to be able to deliver the best practice of zebrafish husbandry, designing and implementing identification methods. There is a core need to train students and staff on cutting edge techniques such as genome editing used in the lab to generate genetically altered mutant and transgenic zebrafish.

 

It will also include management of the compliance of many people including the members of our lab and members of four other labs to ensure that they meet the legal regulations stated on our Home Office animal licence and to manage the maintenance of the laboratory group’s use of the fish facility.

 

The role demands independent working following an agreed work plan involving the research project on goals and priorities that are set by the post holder in agreement with their line manager, Simon Hughes. This role embraces the setting of priorities for fish maintenance to people within our lab and working together with these lab members and the animal facility staff as a team to achieve the objectives set.

 

This role also has an essential focus which is to input on working protocols to be able to freeze zebrafish sperm and fertilise eggs (IVF) with the frozen sperm so these techniques could be established within the zebrafish facility.  It also requires the regular gathering and analysis of data on multiple subjects which reveal priorities, for example, current fish fertility levels.  This helps advise the animal facility how the fish are preforming under different fish food diets.

 

Within the role it will be necessary to deputise for the line manager at safety meetings, and other meetings if appropriate. There is also a requirement to network with colleagues across KCL and beyond in other universities when needed and to engage regularly with King’s technical network, keeping up with and responding to messages if appropriate.

 

Another vital aspect of the role is to forge relationships with colleagues across KCL and other universities and use these contacts for advice on both fish husbandry and experimental techniques. This demands strong communication skills to enable both visits and collaborations with colleagues from other universities in the UK and abroad to aid delivery of the required service/ research outcome for the lab’s research goals.

 

The role also encapsulates the provision of training to external scientists needing to learn specific techniques in which they are experienced, such as genome editing and it requires scientific expertise to conduct experiments for external scientists both within KCL and in joint visits to external institutions.

 

Underpinning the role is the need for critical evaluation and problem-solving skills to respond to changing priorities and make improvements to services and protocols.  It is also a vital aspect of the role to be able to solve and manage tasks and problems as they arise such as the long-term management of the backup and storage of all the labs electronic data

 

This is a full-time post, 35 hours per week, and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 22nd March 2027 with a start date no sooner than 1st October 2025.

 

The post is not a hybrid role and is generally delivered on site, unless agreed otherwise with line manager.

 

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.