Job at a glance
The postholder will take scientific and operational ownership of developing a new nanoneedle device for repeated intracellular access. The disruptive advance is not simply a more efficient transfection substrate. The aim is to create an engineered interface that can sample intracellular material or deliver molecular cargo repeatedly, including at short defined intervals, while causing minimal perturbation to cell viability, phenotype, barrier function and tissue architecture.
This would allow the same living cells or tissues to be measured and manipulated longitudinally, replacing destructive endpoint workflows with time-resolved experiments and opening a route towards feedback-enabled research, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. You will define performance requirements and decision criteria, design and iterate nanoneedle architectures, and establish reproducible fabrication, assembly and quality-control procedures using the cleanroom facilities at the London Centre for Nanotechnology.
You will characterise device geometry, porosity, surface chemistry, mechanical and interfacial behaviour, loading and release, and device-to-device variability. You will then establish repeated sampling and delivery protocols in mammalian cells and corneal endothelial models, progressing to ex vivo tissue where appropriate. Quantitative studies will determine how access frequency, dose and device parameters influence molecular yield or delivery efficiency, recovery kinetics, viability and biological function.
The work will require rigorous experimental design, appropriate controls and benchmarks, statistical analysis, traceable data and predefined acceptance criteria. The role carries substantial intellectual ownership and is suited to a researcher who can work credibly across engineering and biology. You will lead the experimental strategy, troubleshoot across disciplines, manage project risks and milestones, and collaborate closely with engineers, molecular scientists and ophthalmology partners.
You will lead and contribute to high-quality publications, conference presentations, reports and funding applications, and support intellectual-property and translational planning where appropriate. The post provides scope to establish a distinctive research profile in nanoneedle biointerfaces, longitudinal cell interrogation and translational nanomedicine. This is a full-time post, and you will be offered a fixed-term contract for one year until 31 December 2027.
Research staff at King's are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP-equivalent staff up to and including Grade 7. Further information is available from the Centre for Research Staff Development.
We are looking for an experimentally rigorous researcher who can integrate engineering and biological evidence, exercise initiative and develop methods that are quantitatively robust and reproducible. Direct porous-silicon experience is advantageous but is not essential where a candidate brings strong adjacent expertise at the engineering-biology interface. Essential criteria A PhD awarded, or thesis submitted and awaiting award, in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, molecular or cell biology, or a closely related discipline A strong research record appropriate to career stage, evidenced by peer-reviewed outputs and a clear contribution to rigorous experimental research.
Practical expertise in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology and quantitative assays, including experience of intracellular delivery, transfection or closely related methods. Experience in biomaterials, micro- or nanotechnology, nanofabrication, microfabrication or medical-device prototyping, with the ability to work effectively at the engineering-biology interf