Research Associate in Translational Cancer Science

Job description:

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on an exciting new translational cancer science project, Phase 1 study of INtraVESical immunoTherapy for bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy (INVEST). We have a well-funded programme of cutting-edge translational tissue-based research embedded within this trial. You will be working with Professor Syed Hussain (Oncology), Professor James Catto (Urology) and Dr Jon Griffin (Histopathology) in the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield. The project also involves collaborations with Sheffield Hallam University and Roche.

You will be a postdoctoral researcher with experience of:

• Molecular biology, mass spectrometry and next generation sequencing library preparation.
• Working with animal or human tissue and blood samples
• Coordination of complex projects.

In the project you will be working closely with the NHS histopathology department and the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre in Sheffield to ensure correct collection, processing, cataloguing and dispatch of translational tissue and blood samples from the INVEST trial. In addition, you will be performing DNA/RNA analysis, histology, immunohistochemistry and slide scanning. You will also have exposure to spatial biology techniques (MALDI-MSI, spatial transcriptomics), liquid biopsy approaches and bioinformatics/ data analysis with the opportunity to develop expertise in these areas. Complementing these laboratory skills, you will gain exposure to working in a clinical trial environment and working with multiple different clinical and scientific specialities.

You will be expected to

• Prepare and follow standard operating procedures according to good laboratory practice guidelines
• Independently design, implement and evaluate experiments
• Manage collaborations with external research partners
• Keep excellent experimental records in paper and electronic format
• Organise and analyse data
• Prepare reports regularly and feed back to the funder and collaborators in regular conference calls and written reports.

There will also be opportunities for publishing and presenting work from the project.

You will have a PhD (or be close to completion) in molecular or cellular biology. You will also have experience of working with human or animal tissue and the regulatory aspects of this type of work. Experience of histological techniques, protocol development/optimisation and a working knowledge of relevant legislation and guidelines (e.g. Human Tissue Act, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice) is also desirable. You should be strongly motivated, self-driven, able to accept direction and be an excellent teammate. Good communication, written and interpersonal skills are expected. An understanding of the factors that make research data robust, reliable and reproducible is also essential.

We are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities which benefit the individual and University.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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