Research Assistant – Oxford Centre for Immuno-Oncology

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Oxford’s Oxford Centre for Immuno-Oncology is seeking a Research Assistant to contribute to preclinical cancer immunology work, collaborating with Dr Ignacio Melero. The role covers cell culture, flow cytometry, in vivo mouse studies, and data analysis, with an emphasis on tumour immunology and immunotherapy strategies.

The position is a full-time, 24-month fixed-term contract funded by Cancer Research UK.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a biological science and hands-on lab experience.
• Experience with cell culture and flow cytometry in a research setting.
• Experience with animal work and the ability to obtain a Personal Licence (PSL) and work within a Biological Services Unit.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory experiments including cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology and sample processing, plus in vivo mouse experiments.
• Adapt and optimise experimental protocols, troubleshoot issues, collect and analyse data, and contribute to experimental design.
• Provide practical training to researchers and students and support day-to-day lab operations.

Skills

Cell culture

Flow cytometry

Biological research lab experience

Communication skills

Troubleshooting protocols

Education

Degree in biology or related subject

Tools

Mouse handling

FACS instruments

Job description

Research Assistant – Oxford Centre for Immuno-Oncology

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to join the Oxford Centre for Immuno-Oncology within the Nuffield Department of Medicine. Working with Dr Ignacio Melero, you will contribute to research investigating anti-tumour immune responses and the development of new strategies to improve cancer immunotherapy. The research focuses on antigen presentation, interactions between dendritic cells and T cells, and inflammatory signalling within the tumour microenvironment, using preclinical models and patient-derived samples to identify approaches that could enhance responses to immune checkpoint blockade and other immunotherapies.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out laboratory experiments including cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology and biological sample processing, as well as in vivo experiments using mouse models.
• Adapting and optimising experimental protocols, troubleshooting technical problems, collecting and analysing data, contributing to experimental design and research planning, and communicating findings with collaborators.
• Providing practical training to researchers and students and supporting the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including equipment maintenance, stock control and ordering.

Requirements

• It is essential that you hold a degree in a relevant biological science subject, together with experience working in a biological research laboratory.
• You should have practical experience of cell culture and flow cytometry, good organisational and communication skills, and the ability to follow and adapt experimental protocols and troubleshoot technical problems.
• Experience of, or a willingness to undertake, in vivo work using mouse models is required, along with the ability to obtain and maintain a Personal Licence and work within a Biological Services Unit.
• Experience in immunology, cancer biology or tumour immunology, preclinical mouse models, multicolour flow cytometry or FACS, and working with primary immune cells, tumour tissue or patient-derived samples would be advantageous.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 24 months and is funded by Cancer Research UK. Only applications received before 12 midday on 2 November 2026 will be considered.

Tagged as: Life Sciences