Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job id: 086705. Salary: £43,205 – £46,732 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 22 March 2024. Closing date: 02 April 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Contact details:Dr Gilbert Fruhwirth and Dr Rachel Evans. [email protected]; [email protected]

Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Research.

Job description

Context

This position is part of a prestigious Cancer Research UK Early Detection and Diagnosis Award to King’s College London. The aim of the project is to evaluate an oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase, which is upregulated in aggressive malignancies such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as a prospective biomarker for early NSCLC detection and monitoring. This will be achieved by implementing parallel tracks of technical, biological, and clinical validation following the biomarker/imaging biomarker roadmap strategy. This position is specifically dedicated to the development of this early detection biomarker toolbox for both blood-borne biomarker analysis and non-invasive whole-body PET imaging. 

Role

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in cancer biomarker research and will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of cancer researchers, cell biologists, and imaging scientists. The post holder will be designing and performing a variety of in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experiments in close collaboration with other team members. Importantly, it is a requirement of this project to collaborate with existing teams of scientists with diverse backgrounds inside and outside the department, in particular with colleagues providing specialist tumour models, antibody developers, and animal technicians. The post holder will have access to cutting-edge technologies including antibody validation platforms, patient-derived tumour models, and quantitative whole-body tumour and ImmunoPET imaging alongside access to a variety of state-of-the-art King’s facilities such as those for flow cytometry, advanced microscopy, and preclinical tumour models. The role involves work at different CR-UK City-of-London Centre Campuses as required by experimental requirements. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 34 months initially, with further extension of another 2 months.

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• To perform in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experimentation required to validate blood-borne and imaging-based cancer biomarkers.
• To perform in vivo and ex vivo experimentation with patient-derived and animal tumour models.
• To work with macroscopic in vivo imaging technologies including PET imaging.
• To work with various microscopic brightfield and fluorescence imaging technologies.
• To work with immunological methods including but not limited to multi-parameter flow cytometry and immunoblotting.
• To work independently on a defined project and to consult when appropriate.
• To design, implement, and manage new and existing project parts.
• To collaborate and support scientific collaboration consistent with the post in the interest of the project team.
• To be fully familiar with relevant scientific literature.
• To take responsibility for regularly constructing manuscripts/reports or parts thereof in excellent written English for publication in high impact journals.
• To participate and present work regularly in team meetings and conferences.
• To maintain accurate, up-to-date records of work and its findings.
• To work at various CRUK CoL sites as required for optimal project progress.
• To supervise and train students and junior staff.
• Any other necessary duties consistent with the nature and grade of the post, including participation in shared roles of laboratory management and maintaining a safe laboratory environment.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

PhD in Cancer Biology, Cancer Immunology, Molecular Imaging, or relevant related field. Candidates who have submitted their PhD thesis and their PhD viva confirmed to take place prior to post commencement are also eligible.

Experience in antibody handling and validation.

Experience in standard cell and molecular biology techniques.

Experience in mammalian cell culture.

Experience in cancer/tumour biology.

Competent in design and performing in vivo animal tumour models.

Knowledge of relevant NSCLC tumour models.

Experience in multiparameter flow cytometry

Evidence of hard working and skills to prioritize work.

Competent in following and adapting protocols.

Excellent communication skills, including analysis and presentation of data.

Holder of an active UK Home Office Personal License (PIL) or equivalent.

Desirable criteria

Experience in Cancer Biomarker Research.

Experience in exosome isolation from peripheral blood.

Experience in immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy (sample preparation and downstream analysis).

Experience in preclinical molecular radionuclide imaging.

Relevant publication track record.

Interviews are expected to be held on Thursday 25th April 2024 with candidates being informed around two weeks before the scheduled interview.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.