Senior Translational Scientist

About the role:

The goal of the CRUK National Biomarker Centre (NBC), is to develop, validate, and implement biomarkers that facilitate the optimisation of cancer patient treatment. In this regard, the NBC is an acknowledged world leader in the study of minimally invasive biomarkers, or liquid biopsies, for improving cancer management. Our biomarker research integrates clinical, experimental and computational science into a highly convergent programme. Translational research and clinical implementation are critical to this biomarker agenda.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Translational Scientist to join the Nucleic Acids Biomarker (NAB) team of the NBC. You will lead and coordinate the efforts of the NAB team in translational research working alongside a multidisciplinary team of biologists, clinicians, computational scientists and engineers. The NAB team is developing new targeted and genome-wide sequencing methods (e.g. mutation, methylation, fragmentomics, transcriptomics) and molecular assays (e.g. ddPCR) generating complex sets of data from liquid biopsy samples. These methods are employed across the NAB translational portfolio, which includes projects across a range of solid and haematological cancers in collaborations with clinicians, biotech, pharma and academia.

The post holders primary focus will be to provide technical leadership and take overall responsibility for the technical implementation and delivery of biomarker studies for the clinical and translational project portfolio within NAB.

About you:

You will have a degree in cancer genomics or molecular biology (or equivalent relevant degree) plus extensive relevant experience. A relevant MSc with equivalent level of experience in academia or industry would be desirable.

You will have extensive experience in the development, validation, implementation and reporting of clinical and translational biomarker assays for clinical studies. You will be experienced with the management and administration relating to handling and banking of clinical trial samples, and liaison with relevant external organisations, for example clinical trial sponsors and trial co-ordinators, aiming to work towards GCP. An understanding of liquid biopsies, cancer genomics, and/or cancer biology is desirable, as is an understanding of bioinformatics analysis of NGS data. Experience of multidisciplinary teamwork will be essential. You will have strong communication skills and a desire to work collaboratively with scientists from other disciplines.

This role would be suitable for an experienced researcher willing to acquire leadership and coordination experience in biomarker and translational research.

Why choose Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre?

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk), an Institute of The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk), is a world-leading centre for excellence in cancer research.  The Institute is core funded by Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org), the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world.

We are partnered with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (adjacent to the CRUK MI Paterson Building) in South Manchester (www.christie.nhs.uk), one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. These factors combine to provide an exceptional environment in which to pursue basic, translational and clinical research programmes.

How to apply?

For any informal enquiries about this post, please contact Dr Florent Mouliere via email: florent.mouliere@cruk.manchester.ac.uk

The deadline for receipt of applications is 9 March 2025.

Job Ref: NBC/25/09

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