Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Spatial Analysis of Spatial Transcriptomics

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the CRC-STARS Spatial Biology team. You will develop advanced bioinformatics and spatial analysis techniques for large-scale spatial transcriptomics and imaging datasets, using MuSpAn, and collaborate across disciplines to study colorectal cancer therapy responses.

This fixed-term, full-time role is funded by Cancer Research UK and runs until 28 February 2028, offering opportunities to publish, present at conferences and

Qualifications

• Postdoctoral Research Assistant position in CRC-STARS Spatial Biology.
• Develop and apply advanced bioinformatics and spatial analysis techniques to large-scale spatial transcriptomics data.
• Collaborate across the CRC-STARS consortium and contribute to publications and grant applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust and reproducible computational pipelines for spatial datasets.
• Interpret complex biological data and identify spatial biomarkers.
• Collaborate with consortium partners and contribute to publications and grants.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Spatial analysis

Computational biology

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

MuSpAn

Job description

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the multidisciplinary CRC-STARS Spatial Biology team at the University of Oxford. This role offers the chance to contribute to a major Cancer Research UK strategic programme investigating how colorectal cancer responds to therapy through the integration of spatial biology, computational analysis and clinical research. Working across the Centre for Human Genetics and the Mathematical Institute, you will collaborate with leading mathematicians, computational biologists, experimental scientists and clinicians to develop innovative approaches that will improve our understanding of therapeutic response and resistance in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal Cancer- Stratification of Therapies through Adaptive Responses (CRC-STARS) is a CRUK strategic programme. Through multiomic and spatial biology exploration of temporally distinct samples from clinical trials and advanced biological models, an international consortium of leading colorectal cancer scientists, clinicians and mathematicians will explore the mechanisms of evolved adaptive response to therapeutic selective pressures in colorectal cancer.

You will develop and apply advanced bioinformatics and spatial analysis techniques to large-scale spatial transcriptomics and imaging datasets, using tools such as MuSpAn to identify spatial biomarkers and uncover the biological mechanisms driving treatment response. The role involves building robust and reproducible computational pipelines, interpreting complex biological data, collaborating across the CRC-STARS consortium, and contributing to scientific publications, grant applications and conference presentations. This is an excellent opportunity to work at the interface of quantitative science and cancer biology within a highly collaborative and internationally recognised research environment.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract until 28 February 2028 and is funded by Cancer Research UK.