About Us

We seek to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Immunology to join the lab of Prof Patricia Barral. The post will be based at the Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, on the King’s College London Guy’s Campus.

The Barral lab has strong expertise in Immunology and aims to understand how immune cells adapt to their environment and how in turn influence health and disease. The successful candidate will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning MAIT cell functions during infection, and how these can be manipulated for therapy. We foster an inclusive and interdisciplinary culture, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities, training opportunities, and a great network of collaborators. We are committed to support career development and encourage innovative thinking to tackle major challenges in Immunology.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in Immunology to join our research team. The successful candidate will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning MAIT cell functions during infection. This role offers the opportunity to apply cutting-edge techniques to address fundamental questions in immunology. You will design and conduct experiments, analyse complex datasets, and contribute to high-impact publications in a collaborative and supportive environment.

This project will take advantage of preclinical model of infection to explore the mechanisms by which MAIT cells protect from disease. As part of the project, you will develop ex vivo and in vivo approaches to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling MAIT cell functions during infection, and how those can be manipulated for therapy.

This is a full-time post 35 hours per week, and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30 Nov 2028.

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

• PhD in Biological/Biomedical sciences *
• Evidence of excellent research productivity - primary author in scientific publications and conference presentations
• Laboratory-based experience in cellular and molecular Immunology techniques including purification of primary cells, flow-cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, etc 
• Experience in animal models of infection
• Excellent communication and organisational skills- ability to communicate complex scientific concepts
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience with data analysis and interpretation
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical challenges 

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of successful collaboration in multidisciplinary projects