Senior Technician - Spatial Biology Facility

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About Us

The Spatial Biology Facility is co-led by Professor Anita Grigoriadis and Dr Ciro Chiappini, based in the Guy's Cancer Centre at King's College London (KCL).

Spatial multiomics approaches reveal how cells interact and organise across different tissue landscape. Having secured large-scale funding in this field, we have built a spatial core facility to utilise the nanoString CosMx Digital Spatial Profiler and 10x Genomics Xenium Analyzer for high-resolution, imaging-based in situ spatial profiling.

About The Role

This role is an exciting opportunity to explore the full cellular diversity of tissue with spatial context, by applying a range of scientific techniques, in particular multiplex imaging, histology, sequence library preparation and microscopy. Experience in spatial transcriptomics is required, though training for specific instruments and workflows will be provided as necessary. The successful candidate should be self-motivated, have good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work enthusiastically and effectively as part of a team.

The position encompasses a breadth of activities, including:

• To run experiments on both nanoString CosMx Digital Spatial Profilers and the 10x Genomics Xenium Analyzer.
• The post holder will receive relevant supervision and training in specialised techniques and will meet with their line managers on a regular basis to review results and plan experiments. Equally, once established, the post-holder should be able to work independently without the requirement for day-to-day supervision and is encouraged to contribute to the design of experiments.
• To act as a key liaison between researchers and Estates & Facilities Management and contractors, to ensure scheduled works can be conducted with minimum impact.
• To assist in the management of the maintenance of equipment and the troubleshooting of problems, arrange engineer call outs and permits to access, and facilitate scheduled maintenance visits.
• To provide specialist technical advice to researchers. They will be expected to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with members of the Grigoriadis' and Chiappini's teams, the wider King's community; this will involve participation at relevant operational meetings.
• To manage user access to the instruments by providing estimates of costs and time requirements; to arrange for the handover of samples and assist in the selection of analytical parameters.
• To support research projects, including conducting experiments, data analysis and presenting results.
• Experience with spatial transcriptomics is required and experience with histological sample preparation will be favourably considered.

This is a full time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an a fixed term contract until 02/07/2028.

About You

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

Essential criteria

1. Minimum BSc in life sciences, medical sciences, physical sciences, natural sciences or engineering plus work experience in relevant technical/scientific posts
2. Evidence of an active commitment to career development including professional registration, such as Registered Scientist, [AG1] or working towards Chartered Scientist. [AG2]
3. Have extensive technical experience with an in-depth knowledge of specialist technical or scientific practices, methods and procedures applicable to the work area, underpinned by a good understanding of relevant technical/scientific theory
4. Experience in spatial transcriptomics.
5. Solutions-focused self-starter, with excellent planning and organisational skills, an ability to manage competing priorities and who can work with minimal supervision
6. A broad understanding of effective approaches to train and teach individuals in methodologies and techniques and technical experience with single or multiplex imaging methodologies
7. Proactive and responsive to internal contacts in immediate area and across King's and contacts outside the university (e.g. suppliers, colleagues in other HE institutions) to build relationships
8. Good working knowledge of regulations and best practice governing area of work, including Health & Safety and environmental sustainability.

Desirable criteria

1. MSc awarded in a relevant subject
2. Prior microscopy experience, including light, fluorescent and confocal microscopy
3. Experienced and competent at handling tissue sections for fluorescence immunohistochemistry and spatial transcriptomics.
4. Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required.
5. Experience with managing a core facility

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.

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.