Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874. Grade: 7

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to December 2027 

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented individual to work as a Research Fellow in the new Cancer Research UK RadNet Birmingham Centre of Excellence, directed by Professor Jason Parsons. You will contribute to cutting-edge research exploiting the radiobiology of protons and high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation using preclinical models. This work will be delivered using our unique, and national, radiation resources for proton, helium ion and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) irradiations. RadNet Birmingham will build on existing scientific expertise in radiation biology, DNA replication, stability and repair within the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, working also in partnership with the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Specifically, this 3 years post will centre on the development and characterisation of patient-derived organoid models of specific tumours (particularly head and neck and glioblastoma), and then analysing their responses to protons and high-LET radiation. The role will also involve supporting utilisation of a chick embryo model to explore the impact of protons and high-LET radiation, both alone and in combination of targeted drugs/inhibitors, on tumour growth combined with mechanistic analysis.

Our long term goal is to define strategies using high-LET radiation leading to significant improvements in cancer patient treatment and outcome following radiotherapy.

Role Summary

• Work within the specified research grant and project.
• Operate within the area of radiobiology.
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results.
• Contribute to generating peer-reviewed publications and further grant funding.

Main Duties

The responsibilities include:

• Contribution to the development of radiobiology research as part of Cancer Research UK RadNet Birmingham.
• Work closely and communicate effectively with other members of RadNet Birmingham, and with colleagues in the School of Physics and Astronomy.
• Take responsibility for taking key decisions regarding the project and planning future experiments.
• Acquire, analyse and interpret research data acquired using a variety of research methods and apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, seminars, conferences, etc.
• Assist in the supervision of PhD, masters and undergraduate students on research related work.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• PhD (or one near to completion) in radiation biology, cancer biology, molecular biology (or another relevant discipline).
• Evidence of playing a key role in a leading-edge scientific research project.
• Substantial laboratory expertise using molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Experience running diverse laboratory experiments.
• Evidence of prior research productivity.
• Excellent project planning, organisational and time-management skills.
• Excellent data acquisition, recording and scientific writing skills.

Informal enquiries to Professor Jason Parsons J.Parsons.3@bham.ac.uk. 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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