Overview
Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON
Research Field Chemistry
Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) / Established Researcher (R3)
Country United Kingdom
Application Deadline 20 Oct 2025 - 00:00 (UTC)
Type of Contract Other
Job Status Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
About Us
The Department of Infectious Diseases brings together researchers and students to understand the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of human infections. Our research bridges strengths in molecular genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and structural biology, with clinical resources in microbiology, virology, sexually transmitted diseases and clinical trials. A major theme is understanding how pathogens interact with their hosts to replicate, transmit, and evolve, and how infection- and vaccine-induced immunity protects us against new threats.
The Odendall Laboratory, led by Dr Charlotte Odendall, is based within the Department of Infectious Diseases at King’s College London. Our research focuses on innate immunity and host–pathogen interactions, with emphasis on how host signalling pathways are activated and subverted during infection. We combine molecular and cellular approaches with in vivo models to uncover the mechanisms that determine infection outcomes.
About the role
The Odendall Laboratory investigates innate immune responses to enteric bacterial pathogens, focusing on how microbial detection integrates with inflammatory signalling. We seek to understand how pathogens such as Salmonella and Shigella are sensed by host cells, and how bacteria subvert these processes to promote infection. Calcium-regulated kinases, including CaMKII, are activated during infection and targeted by bacterial effectors. We have shown CaMKII is required for signalling downstream of multiple innate immune receptors, highlighting it as a central node in host–pathogen interfaces.
We are seeking a motivated and driven Postdoctoral Research Associate with a strong cell biology and molecular microbiology skillset to lead a high-impact project mapping infection-driven signalling networks. The post-holder will develop an independent project using molecular and cellular approaches, with opportunities to employ advanced live-cell imaging via the Francis Crick Institute’s Advanced Microscopy platform, as well as transcriptomic and proteomic approaches.
The successful candidate will join a collaborative and supportive team within the Department of Infectious Diseases, with links across King’s College London and the Francis Crick Institute. Applicants should hold a PhD in cell biology, molecular microbiology, or a related discipline. Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology is essential, and expertise in advanced fluorescence microscopy is strongly desired. A strong interest in innate immunity and host–pathogen interactions, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively, are essential. The candidate will contribute data and writing to peer-reviewed manuscripts and will be supported for applications for independent fellowships later in the post.
Contract details
This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) with a fixed-term contract for 2 years.
Required skills and experience
* PhD in cell biology, molecular microbiology, or a related discipline
* Strong research track record, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or preprints
* Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques
* Demonstrated expertise in cell signalling or infection biology
* Proven ability to design, implement, and analyse experiments independently
Notes
* * Please note this is a PhD-level role, but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting the award of their PhD may be considered. Appointment will be at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant; upon confirmation of the PhD, the title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.
* Experience with advanced fluorescence microscopy (e.g., live-cell imaging, FLIM/FRET, biosensors)
* Experience with bacterial infection models (Salmonella, Shigella, or similar)
* Experience with omics-based techniques (e.g., phosphoproteomics, transcriptomics)
* Skills in computational analysis of imaging or omics datasets
Additional Information
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and required criteria are available in the Job Description document at the bottom of the page.
Further Information
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. We encourage all candidates to submit a CV and a supporting statement addressing how they meet the essential criteria. If the field is strong, desirable criteria may be used to select the final shortlist.
Recruitment process
Interviews are expected in November 2025. This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.
Grade and Salary: £45,031 per annum, including London Weighting
Job ID: 126165
Close Date: 20-Oct-2025
Contact Person: Dr Charlotte Odendall
Contact Details: Charlotte.odendall@kcl.ac.uk
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