Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to an international cancer research project. The role involves developing methodologies, coordinating data management, and working with multiple institutions to address obesity-related immune dysfunction in cancer environments. Opportunities for career development and potential extension of the role are available.

Qualifications

• Strong computational background and expertise in spatial profiling platforms.
• Experience in cancer biology and data analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee an international collaborative project.
• Identify appropriate platforms and develop standardised protocols.
• Coordinate sample, data, and programme management.

Skills

Computational Background

Cancer Biology

Data Management

Coordination

Education

PhD

Job description

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a strong computational background and expertise in spatial profiling platforms and cancer biology, to develop and oversee a new international collaborative project for the Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED), funded by Cancer Research UK. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a multi-centre, inter-disciplinary programme with an overall goal of identifying and targeting obesity-associated immune dysfunction in early-stage tumorigenic environments for precision cancer interception. The specific project will compare the immune microenvironments in pre-cancer and cancer lesions from individuals with and without obesity across several cancer types using a combination of spatial single cell RNA and proteomics analyses.

This role will require aspects of coordination (sample, data and programme management) as well as scientific expertise to contribute actively to the project. A crucial part of this project will be to identify the most appropriate platforms and methodology to address the research question and develop standardised protocols to be used across institutes. The role holder will also identify or develop as necessary data analytics tools and pipelines and ensure that work is uniform (or can be integrated) across all centres and cancer types.

Based within the Early Cancer Institute on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the role holder will work to deliver this project across the international ACED Centres (University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Manchester, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Oregon Health & Science University). There may be some opportunities for travel to facilitate coordination across centres.

From a day-to-day perspective the Postdoctoral Research Associate will be supported by Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald's group and by research associates, technicians and/or nurses across the ACED Centres who can liaise with core facilities, and help with sample access, ethics and data management. There will be opportunities for career development and if successful over the first 2 years the role may be extended, funding permitting.

Informal enquires can be made to Prof. Rebecca Fitzgerald ( [e-mail] ).

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

This appointment requires a Research Passport application.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: 15th May 2025

Interview date: To be confirmed

Please quote reference RD45762 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Further information

• Further Particulars