Overview
Research Assistant – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About Us
The School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (SCMMS) provides an outstanding multi-disciplinary environment for the pursuit of cutting-edge cardiovascular and metabolic research ( https://www.kcl.ac.uk/scms).
We study the fundamental molecular, cellular, and physiological processes that underly normal and abnormal cardiovascular and metabolic function and we drive the translation of this strong basic science into advances in clinical practice to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This activity provides a high-quality research and training environment for non-clinical and clinical scientists.
The School occupies facilities across the Guy’s, St Thomas’ and Denmark Hill campuses of King’s College London and comprises over 65 academic groups, hosting 400 staff and 110 PhD students.
Our community of world-renowned researchers and educators have access to a state-of-the art core facilities and expertise, including for high-throughput screening, multimodality in vivo imaging, proteomics, integrative physiology and viral & non-viral vector production. As part of King’s Health Partners, we have an excellent environment for basic-clinical interaction and a strong focus on mentoring and career development.
The School is a partner of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St. Thomas’, which offers world class facilities for translational studies and phase I/II clinical trials. The post is based within the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences at the James Black Centre (King’s Denmark Hill campus) as part of the King’s College London BHF Centre of Research Excellence and the MRC/BHF Centre for Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics (REACT). The School and these Centres provide an outstanding highly multidisciplinary environment with state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and technical support for both laboratory work and animal studies.
About The Role
This position is for a talented and motivated Research Assistant to support a project investigating how WT1 regulates coronary endothelial activation and sinus venosus–derived sprouting, with the broader aim of identifying mechanisms that could be harnessed for therapeutic angiogenesis. Working under the supervision of Dr Joaquim Nunes Vieira, the postholder will contribute to experimental studies that define WT1‑dependent pathways controlling endothelial plasticity, using a combination of in vivo models, single‑cell and chromatin‑profiling approaches, and human iPSC‑derived vascularised cardiac organ‑on‑chip systems. The role will involve planning and conducting molecular and cellular assays, supporting imaging‑based analyses, supporting colony breeding and maintenance, including genotyping and tissue microdissection and processing for histology/immunohistochemistry/RNA-sequencing, maintaining accurate experimental records and contributing to the smooth running of the laboratory.
We seek to appoint an individual with a background in cell and molecular biology, ideally with experience in vascular, developmental or endothelial biology. Skills in microscopy, mouse work, computational approaches to quantify microscopy data (e.g. ImageJ, CellProfiler, Harmony, AMIRA, IMARIS, R/Python) or single‑cell methods would be advantageous, but training will be provided where needed. The postholder will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment within the King’s BHF Centre of Research Excellence and the MRC/BHF Centre of Research Excellence in Advanced Cardiac Therapies (REACT), benefiting from state‑of‑the‑art facilities and an active scientific community focused on cardiovascular development, disease mechanisms and regenerative strategies.
This is a part‑time post (60% FTE; 21 hours per week, typically across three days) and will be offered on a fixed‑term contract for two years from the start date. Proposed start date: 1 October 2026.
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
- Relevant Biomedical degree: BSc or MSc/MRes in a biological or biomedical discipline, with evidence of core training in cell or molecular biology.
- Hands-on lab experience: documented experience working in a research laboratory (e.g., final-year project, MSc/MRes project, internship)
- Independent cell/molecular work: evidence of independently performing techniques such as cell culture, immunofluorescence, qPCR, immunoblotting, or histology.
- Genotyping or tissue handling: experience with DNA extraction, PCR-based genotyping, or basic tissue microdissection/handling (training provided for advanced procedures).
- Microscopy experience: hands-on experience acquiring and analysing fluorescence, high-resolution episcopic or confocal images.
- Quantitative image analysis: experience analysing microscopy data using ImageJ/Fiji, CellProfiler, IMARIS, Harmony, AMIRA, R or Python.
- Protocol execution and adaptation: ability to follow established protocols and adapt methods when required, demonstrated through project work.
- Scientific communication: clear written communication (e.g., thesis, reports, posters) and effective verbal communication (e.g., presentations in group meetings or conferences).
- Teamwork and independence: evidence of working within a research group plus ability to work independently on assigned tasks.
- Organisation and record-keeping: ability to plan work, manage time, and maintain accurate, well-structure lab records.
Desirable criteria
- Cardiovascular and/or Developmental Biology: experience or coursework in endothelial, vascular, cardiac or developmental biology.
- Stem Cell or advanced culture: experience with primary human endothelial cells culture and/or hiPSC/hESC differentiation into endothelial cells, or other cardiovascular-relevant advanced mammalian cell systems.
- Mouse model experience: experience with transgenic models or willingness to train.
- Home Office Personal Licence interest: possession of, or willingness to obtain, a UK Home Office Personal Licence.
- Contribution to scientific outputs: evidence of contributing to reports, posters, or manuscripts.
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
