Postdoctoral Research Associate

**Job Description**
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will join the Wanford Group, a molecular microbiology and infectious diseases research group at King’s College London. The role focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, specifically concerning *Klebsiella pneumoniae* (Kp). The successful candidate will lead a high-impact project with two primary aims: to define the mutational mechanisms regulating Kp capsule expression during infection and to identify the functional consequences of capsule regulation on host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level. This position requires the application of cutting-edge microbiological, biochemical, molecular genetics, and comparative genomics approaches, with opportunities for collaboration and support for independent fellowship applications.

**Skills & Abilities**
• Advanced molecular microbiology skills, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qRT-PCR, and genetic manipulation of bacterial pathogens (plasmid construction, transformation, generation of deletion mutants).
• Experience with omics-based techniques (e.g., comparative genomics, RNA-seq).
• Capacity to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (documented by presentations and publications).
• Excellent organisational skills, academic integrity, and rigor.
• Experience in fluorescence microscopy and/or flow cytometry-based readouts of infection (Desirable).
• Experience with biochemical assays (e.g., Western blotting) (Desirable).
• Experience handling/processing samples in vivo infection models and/or human samples (Desirable).
• Experience with eukaryotic cell culture systems (Desirable).

**Qualifications**
Required Degree(s) in:
• Molecular Microbiology
• Cell Biology
• Immunology
• Other relevant subjects

**Experience**
Other:
• Prior experience with bacterial pathogens
• Proven ability to design, implement and analyse experiments

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