Postdoctoral Scientist: Cancer Evolutionary Genomics

CRUK Manchester Institute; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

CRUK Manchester Institute invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on landmark cancer evolution studies in kidney cancer, spanning surgical resection to metastasis in ccRCC. The role blends cancer biology with computational analysis, requiring strong quantitative skills and coding experience to handle large genomic datasets.

The position is hosted jointly with the Francis Crick Institute, based in Manchester with visiting scientist status at Crick.

Qualifications

• PhD in cancer biology, molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics or related field.
• Working knowledge of cancer genomics concepts: somatic mutation, copy number alteration, clonal evolution, phylogenetic reconstruction, tumour heterogeneity.
• Experience scripting in R and/or Python for biological data analysis and handling large multi-sample genomic datasets.

Responsibilities

• Conduct computational analyses on TRACERx Renal 300 (Tx300) and PEACE datasets to study ccRCC evolution.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team of evolutionary biologists, computational scientists and clinicians.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Biology background

Scripting: R/Python

Education

PhD in cancer biology / genomics / bioinformatics

Tools

R

Python

Job description

4-year fixed-term

About the role:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on two landmark studies of cancer evolution in kidney cancer: TRACERx Renal 300 (Tx300) and PEACE (Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment). Together, these datasets span the full arc of ccRCC disease, from surgical resection of primary tumours through to the metastatic landscape captured postmortem and offer a rare opportunity to study kidney cancer evolution at an unprecedented depth and scale.

The project sits at the intersection of cancer biology and computational analysis. We are looking for someone with genuine biological curiosity and strong quantitative instincts. We value scientific judgement, a drive to understand cancer biology, and sufficient coding experience to work effectively with genomic datasets.

The Cancer Dynamics lab operates across the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and the Francis Crick Institute. The role will be based in Manchester with a visiting scientist status at the Crick taking advantage of both research communities.

The Environment:

The post is jointly hosted between the Turajlic Lab at the CRUK Manchester Institute and the Francis Crick Institute, providing access to world-class computational infrastructure, 14 Science and Technology Platforms, a rich network of clinical and academic collaborators, and the broader TRACERx consortium. The fellow will work within a multidisciplinary team of evolutionary biologists, computational scientists and translational clinicians, with strong connections to immunology and clinical oncology groups. There will be opportunity to develop national and international collaborations and to participate in the TRACERx and PEACE consortia.

About you:

You should have a PhD in cancer biology molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics or a related field along with a working knowledge of cancer genomics concepts: somatic mutation, copy number alteration, clonal evolution, phylogenetic reconstruction, tumour heterogeneity. You will have demonstrable experience of scripting in R and/or Python for biological data analysis and the ability to work with large multi-sample genomic datasets and navigate standard genomic file formats and tooling. Prior experience with cancer somatic genomic analyses (e.g. mutation calling, copy number, phylogenetics) would be an advantage.

Why choose Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute?

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk), an Institute of The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk), is a world-leading centre for excellence in cancer research. The Institute is core funded by Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org), the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world. In spring 2023 the Institute moved into the new Paterson Building, a £150 million flagship purpose-built biomedical research centre directly attached to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (www.christie.nhs.uk), in South Manchester.

We are partnered with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. These factors combine to provide an exceptional environment in which to pursue basic, translational and clinical research programmes.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.