Post-doctoral Research Associate

About Us

The Hill Group, led by Dr Peter Hill, is a molecular and infection biology research group based within the Department of Infectious Diseases at King's College London, specialising in relapsing invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella infections.

About the role

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge to modern medicine, commonly arising when bacteria acquire mutations or new genes that undermine antimicrobial efficacy. One major driver of resistance is the repeated use of antibiotics to treat relapsing infections. In such cases, antibiotics initially appear to clear the infection, but it rapidly returns once treatment ends. At the core of these relapses is a subpopulation of bacteria known as antibiotic persisters. These cells temporarily adopt a drug-tolerant state, often by sequestering within macrophages - key cells of the innate immune system. The Hill Group uses Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a model pathogen to investigate how host-pathogen interactions contribute to antibiotic failure, particularly in the context of macrophage infection.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead a high-impact project with two aims: (1) to characterise the phenotypes of persisters and infected macrophages during acute infection and antibiotic exposure, using advanced infection model systems; and (2) to identify novel immunomodulatory or persister-targeting strategies to eliminate Salmonella persisters during infection. Although the initial focus will be on invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella , the successful candidate will be encouraged to expand this research to include other intracellular pathogens associated with relapsing infections in later stages.

The role involves applying cutting-edge microbiological and cell biological techniques, drawing on tools from genetics, transcriptomics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The successful applicant will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively, contributing to a broader understanding of the mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions and antibiotic treatment failure.

This role can be held on either a full time or part time basis (21-35 hours per week), and you will be offered an fixed term contract for 24 months.

About You

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

Essential criteria

1. PhD qualified in microbiology *
2. Extensive practical experience with in vitro and intracellular persister assays, including CFU/survival-based methods and macrophage infection models, with a demonstrable publication record on Salmonella Typhimurium antibiotic persisters in the context of infection biology
3. Advanced molecular microbiology skills, including bacterial genetic manipulation (e.g. gene knockouts, plasmid construction), phage transduction, transformations in Salmonella and at least two other bacterial species, and routine molecular assays such as colony PCR and nucleic acid isolation
4. Strong track record in host-pathogen interaction work, particularly involving macrophage infections, immune cell culture, and the use of BSL3/CL3 containment procedures
5. Proficiency in high-resolution analytical techniques, including qRT-PCR, Western and Northern blotting, EMSAs, ELISAs, radiochemical assays, and protein purification methods
6. Competence in bioanalytical and cell biology tools, including fluorescence activated cell sorting, cell line propagation, and in vitro biochemical manipulation of RNA species, coupled with solid data interpretation skills
7. Demonstrated lab management and leadership experience, such as overseeing consumables procurement, organising safety inductions, maintaining lab infrastructure, supervising students, and coordinating lab activities and meetings
8. Strong science communication and publication skills, including the creation of scientific figures/models, contribution to and revision of manuscripts, conference presentations (oral and/or poster), and outreach/public engagement (e.g. lab websites, science festivals)

* 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.

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 next page after you click "Apply Now". This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

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.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our 'How we Recruit' pages.

Interviews are due to be held in late May or early June.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.