Postdoc: Oncolytic Clostridia for Prostate Cancer Therapy

The Open University; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Open University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to explore oncolytic Clostridium strains for prostate cancer therapy. Based in Milton Keynes, you will work in the AiM Lab on molecular microbiology and anticancer protein expression, coordinating with UK, Italy and USA collaborators.

You will generate and evaluate anticancer strategies, publish findings, and supervise junior researchers while contributing to grant activities and lab management.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in molecular microbiology, cancer biology or related field.
• Demonstrable understanding of cancer biology.
• Experience culturing cancer cells, including under hypoxic conditions.
• Experience handling obligate anaerobes.
• Experience studying anticancer therapeutics using microbes.
• Experience molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning, Western blot).
• Proven track record communicating research results.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cancer cell cultures.
• Generate, purify and quantify spores of Clostridium spp.
• Optimize heterologous expression of therapeutic proteins in Clostridium.
• Assess anticancer activity of Clostridium spp. against prostate cancer in vitro.
• Coordinate shipping of materials to international collaborators.
• Conduct ex vivo analysis of cancer samples.
• Analyse data and publish results in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Participate in AiM Lab activities and supervise junior members.
• Provide updates to external project collaborators and contribute ideas.
• Perform risk assessments and other administrative tasks.

Skills

Molecular microbiology

Cancer biology

Cell culture

Hypoxic culture

Molecular biology techniques

Data interpretation

Scientific communication

Project planning

Team supervision

Research collaboration

Education

PhD in molecular microbiology or cancer biology

Tools

PCR

Molecular cloning

Western blot

Job description

The Open University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to explore oncolytic Clostridium strains for prostate cancer therapy. Based in Milton Keynes, you will work in the AiM Lab on molecular microbiology and anticancer protein expression, coordinating with UK, Italy and USA collaborators.

You will generate and evaluate anticancer strategies, publish findings, and supervise junior researchers while contributing to grant activities and lab management.