Post-Doctoral Research Associate

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK seeks a postdoctoral researcher to explore novel methods for making immune-cold colorectal cancer responsive to immunotherapy. The position involves the use of mouse models and patient-derived organoid models, aiming to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Suitable for candidates with a background in immune-oncology and spatial data analysis. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits included.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Qualifications

• Previous evidence of successful project completion, particularly first author publications.

Responsibilities

• Investigate novel methods to make immune-cold colorectal cancer responsive to immunotherapy.
• Utilise mouse models, patient-derived organoid models, and spatial transcriptomics.
• Develop novel therapeutic approaches to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.

Skills

Experience working with animal cancer models

Organ culture systems

Bioinformatic experience

Analysis of spatial data

RNAseq analysis

Long read technologies

Ability to communicate complex information

Education

PhD in immune-oncology, cancer biology, or a related biomedical field

Job description

The Opportunity

We seek a postdoctoral researcher to carry out a research project to investigate novel methods to make immune‑cold colorectal cancer responsive to immunotherapy.

A Cancer Research UK funded postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Dr Kevin Myant (https://institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/research/research-groups-a-z/myant-group). The project aims to investigate how targeting RNA splicing can activate immune responses in immune‑cold colorectal cancer. The project will use immune‑competent mouse models, patient derived human organoid models and spatial transcriptomics to determine how cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment respond to RNA splicing disruption. We will utilise this data to develop novel therapeutic approaches to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies in this disease. It would be ideally suited to a researcher with a background in immune‑oncology and spatial analysis. For more information, please contact Dr Kevin Myant ([e-mail]).

This post is fixed‑term (for 36 months) with the potential for a further 3‑year extension based on the meeting of key objectives and full‑time (35 hours per week).

The salary for this post is at Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum.

Your skills and attributes for success

• A PhD in immune‑oncology, cancer biology or a related biomedical field.
• Previous evidence of successful project completion, in particular first author publications.
• Experience working with animal cancer models and organoid culture systems.
• Bioinformatic experience, in particular analysis of spatial data, RNAseq analysis or experience of long read technologies.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.

Application Information

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter outlining your motivation for applying and future career objectives

As a valued member of our team you can expect

• To carry out exciting, disease relevant, impactful research.
• To gain experience in state‑of‑the‑art technologies providing a strong basis for a career in academic or commercial scientific research.
• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family‑friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 24th November 2025. Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held in December/January 2025.