Postdoctoral Research Associate in Spatial Biology and Cancer Immunology

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in Spatial Biology and Cancer Immunology for a collaborative project within the COMBAT cancer programme. The role involves applying mathematical and computational approaches to analyse spatial data and cancer immunology phenomena.

The position is full-time and fixed-term for up to six months, based in Oxford, with immediate start and oversight by leading researchers. Salary is £41,636–£47,779 per annum.

Qualifications

• PhD or nearing completion in a quantitative discipline; strong computational background.
• Experience analysing complex biological or multidimensional datasets is essential.
• Proficiency in Python and ability to learn new tools quickly is required.

Responsibilities

• Analyse multiplex imaging, spatial transcriptomics and clinical datasets.
• Develop and extend quantitative spatial analysis methods using Python.
• Prepare findings for publication and presentation; collaborate with Oxford researchers and external partners.

Skills

Python programming

Spatial biology

Data analysis

Education

PhD/DPhil in mathematics, statistics, data science, computational biology or related quantitative discipline

Tools

MuSpAn framework

Job description

Location: Andrew Wiles Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG

We seek a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in Spatial Biology and Cancer Immunology to complete a collaborative research project arising from the COMBAT cancer programme. The successful candidate will work with Professor Helen Byrne at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, and Professor Tim Elliott at the Oxford Centre for Immuno-oncology, with collaboration from Dr Joshua Bull at The Francis Crick Institute, London. This is a full-time, fixed-term position for up to six months, funded by the Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre, and available immediately.

The project will use advanced mathematical and computational approaches to analyse multiplex imaging, spatial transcriptomics and associated clinical datasets, with a particular focus on understanding how tumour immune microenvironments regulate anti-tumour immune responses and influence therapeutic outcomes. In particular, the research will investigate how precursor-exhausted T cells and regulatory T cells are organised within tumour immune microdomains, how their interactions contribute to immune control of cancer, and how these spatially structured immune microenvironments respond to therapy. The successful candidate will analyse existing datasets from oesophageal and colorectal cancer cohorts generated through the COMBAT cancer programme.

Working at the interface of mathematics, spatial biology and cancer immunology, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with researchers from the Mathematical Institute, the Centre for Immuno-Oncology and the Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre. They will apply and further develop quantitative spatial analysis methods and Python-based workflows using the MuSpAn (Multiscale Spatial Analysis) framework, extend analyses to additional patient cohorts, and prepare findings for publication and presentation.

Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD/DPhil in mathematics, statistics, data science, computational biology or a related quantitative discipline, with experience of analysing and interpreting complex biological or multidimensional datasets. Strong programming skills in Python, or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire expertise in new computational tools, are required. Experience with spatially resolved biological data, cancer biology or cancer immunology would be an advantage. The position is particularly suited to researchers with interests in computational or mathematical biology, computational cancer immunology, or spatial data science.

Please direct informal enquiries to the HR Administrator (email: [e-mail]), quoting vacancy reference 189032.

£41,636 to £47,779 per annum