Research Associate in Life Sciences
About the role
We are looking to recruit a talented and motivated post-doc to join the group of Prof. Michalis Barkoulas in the Department of Life Sciences at the South Kensington Campus of Imperial College London. This is part of a UKRI-funded project focusing on understanding how C. elegans defends against some natural eukaryotic pathogens that belong to the oomycete group. The Department of Life Sciences is one of the top places in the UK for research intensity in Biological Sciences, with a particular strength in the area of infection and immunity.
What you would be doing
You will be carrying out independent and collaborative research on host-pathogen interactions. You will be drafting publications for submission to refereed journals, reports and presentations in oral and poster formats for internal and external use. You will also contribute to other activities in the lab, such as undergraduate and postgraduate student supervision, lab management, compliance with Safety procedures, and participation in public outreach events.
What we are looking for
- A PhD (or equivalent) in Biological Sciences
- Experience in C. elegans or other in vivo models.
- A successful track record of academic publications commensurate with experience
- Background knowledge in molecular cell biology and/or innate immunity and/or metal biology.
- Excellent written communication skills and ability to produce material for publication
- Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines
- Creative approach to problem-solving
- Excellent organisation skills
- Willingness to work as part of a team and be cooperative
- Flexible attitude towards work if the requirements of the project demand
- Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role
What we can offer you
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
- Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
- As a member of research staff you have 10 development days to use to develop your skills and explore your career prospects
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Further information
Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have not yet been officially awarded will be appointed as a Research Assistant.
This is a three-year, full-time, fixed-term position from 1st February 2027 to 31st January 2030.
If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Professor Michalis Barkoulas – m.barkoulas@imperial.ac.uk
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
We reserve the right to close the advert before the stated closing date, should we receive a high volume of applications. Please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you have any general queries about this vacancy, please contact the hiring manager listed in the ‘Further Information’ section. Alternatively, you can contact the Recruitment Hub at recruitmenthub@imperial.ac.uk, and we will be happy to assist you.
If you experience any technical issues that prevent you from submitting an application, please contact our Technical Support team at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk, who will be able to help resolve the issue.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top-ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.
Our Culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination, and creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our web pages.
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Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.


