Research Assistant

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Cambridge is seeking a Research Assistant or post-doctoral Research Associate to contribute to innovative research in kidney cancer at the Early Cancer Institute. The successful candidate will investigate the implications of various interventions on cancer cell growth and collaborate with national and international partners. Candidates must have a PhD or be nearing completion. This position offers competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Must have (or be in final stages of obtaining) a PhD.
• Prospective candidates must contact Dr Mitchell before applying.

Responsibilities

• Investigate factors that reduce cellular fitness.
• Lead in vitro organoid studies on kidney cancers.
• Contribute to manuscripts and present work at conferences.

Education

PhD

Job description

Overview

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant or post-doctoral Research Associate to join Dr Thomas J. Mitchell’s group within the Early Cancer Institute on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The Mitchell group collaborates widely within the UK and internationally with clinical and academic collaborators to advance knowledge of the molecular and cellular drivers of kidney cancer, aiming to discover novel routes to early intervention and prevention.

The project aims to understand how common risk factors and genetic events contribute to the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Through multidimensional modelling, we are assessing the likely consequences of various interventions at different stages of tumour development.

Responsibilities

• Investigate how targeting modifiable risk or mechanistic factors reduces cellular fitness.
• Lead innovative in vivo tissue slice culture and in vitro organoid and cell line systems to evaluate therapeutic response in freshly acquired kidney cancers.
• Possess or develop experience with in vivo or in vitro models and/or multiomic platforms as part of the project.
• Lead on and contribute to manuscripts and present work at national and international conferences (as a post-doctoral Research Associate).
• Join a collaborative environment and pursue training in areas required for career progression.

Qualifications

• To apply for the post-doctoral Research Associate position, the candidate should have or be in the final stages of 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 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.
• Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Mitchell directly in advance of submitting an application; please use the contact details below.

Application details

• To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the Apply button above.
• Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.
• Closing Date: 15 February 2026
• Interview Date: 2 March 2026
• Fixed-term: until 1 June 2029
• Health assessment is required after an offer of employment; this appointment also requires a Research Passport application.
• 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.
• Please quote reference RD48601 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.

Compensation

£33,002 to £46,049 per annum

Contact

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Mitchell directly at [e-mail] before submitting an application.