Postdoctoral Scientist – Leukaemia Biology

Duration: 3 years fixed term (in the first instance) extended up to a total of 7 years, subject to successful reviews

About the role:

A postdoctoral scientist position is available in the laboratory of Prof Tim Somervaille to study/investigate the therapeutic targeting of transcription factor:co-activator recruitment in myeloid blood cancers.

Background:

Over the last decade the Leukaemia Biology Laboratory at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute has delivered a successful programme of bench-to-bedside translational research in myeloid blood cancer, with significant impacts in other haematological cancers such as myeloma and lymphoma. Our focus has been on understanding the basic biology of transcription factors, their co-activators and co-repressors. With this knowledge we have then collaborated with colleagues in medicinal chemistry and in the pharmaceutical industry to drug these targets and bring them through a succession of clinical trials with patient benefit being the longer-term goal. Some key examples of this include our work on LSD1 and more recently our work with a bromodomain inhibitor of the histone acetyltransferases EP300/CBP. Building on these and other recent successes we now seek to appoint a postdoctoral researcher who will continue and expand our work in the area of translational myeloid leukaemia epigenetics, therapeutics and gene regulation. The programme of work will be focused on understanding how critical transcription factors involved in acute myeloid leukaemia recruit essential co-activators and/or co-repressors to chromatin and whether these recruitment domains can be targeted for therapeutic benefit, as has been the case, for example, with menin inhibition in AML.

About you:

You should have a PhD in a biomedical discipline. A background in leukaemia research and/or chromatin & epigenetics is desirable but not essential.

You should have a strong track record of past accomplishments, with wet lab experimental skills and excellent writing skills. Significant experience in ChIP sequencing and/or mass spectrometry would be advantageous together with good experience in analysis of the arising datasets, although this post will be supported by colleagues within our core bioinformatics facility. Experience with in vivo work would also be a benefit. To acquaint yourself with the range of experimental techniques and approaches in our laboratory, please read our recent publications, available at:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=somervaille+tc

Why choose Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute?

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. In Spring 2023 the Institute moved into the new Paterson Building, a £150 million purpose-built biomedical research centre directly attached to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (www.christie.nhs.uk), in South Manchester.

We are partnered with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, 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?

To apply for this position please visit our website.

For any informal enquiries about this post, please contact Tim Somervaille: tim.somervaille@cruk.manchester.ac.uk

Please note this vacancy will close for applications at 11:59pm on the closing date specified.

Closing date: 31 March 2025

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