Associate Scientist

The Opportunity: We have an exciting early career development opportunity for an experienced, motivated and ambitious scientist to work alongside us in the Small Cell Biology Group to deliver an internationally recognised programme in Small Cell Lung Cancer discovery research.

The Group: Is core funded by CRUK and closely associated with the CRUK National Biomarker (NBC). SCLC is an aggressive neuroendocrine (NE) cancer, with early metastasis (frequently to liver and the brain) and a poor prognosis.  Most patients are initially highly sensitive to chemotherapy but within a matter of months they relapse with acquired chemoresistance. A more complete understanding of SCLC biology is needed to deliver effective, personalised therapies. Realising the substantial challenge of tumour biopsies, we pioeneered development of Circulating Tumour Cell-derived patient explant models (CDX). CDX faithfully mimic the donor’s disease, reflect recently descibed molecular subtypes, display intra-tumour heterogeneity and metastasise to the sites seen in patients1-5. Our biobank of >65 extensively charcterised CDX models are used in a wide range of studies of tumour plasticity, chemoresistance and metastasis. Working in tandem with experts in the preclinical pharmacology team of the NBC, we are also exploiting CDX models to inform development of liquid biopsy approaches to molecularly subtype, predict and monitor treatment responses in patients with SCLC in clinical trials6. Our group makes use of the latest in vitro and in vivo techniques and technologies and a wide variety of bioinformatics approaches to interrogate the increasingly appreciated complexity of SCLC biology, with the goal of identifying novel treatment targets and biomarkers to facilitate the implementation of precision medicine programs.

¹Hodgkinson et al., Nature Medicine (2014); ²Simpson et al, Nature Cancer (2020); ³Schenk et al., Nat Comms (2021); ⁴Williamson et al., Nature Comms (2016);⁵Pearsall et al., J Thorac Oncol (2023). Chemi et al, Nature Cancer, 2022.

The Position: Directly reporting to Group leads Prof Caroline Dive, CBE and Dr Kathryn Simpson, you will input into our research strategy and drive forward multiple important SCLC Biology projects. You will supervise staff and students and develop independent ideas to attract funding to initiate and lead new projects. You will author publication outputs and represent the Group at National and International Conferences. You will become a member of the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence.

About you: You will have a PhD in cell biology and/or pharmacology and/or a related discipline ideally in a cancer context; and relevant experience in a cancer research laboratory. In addition, you will hold a current or former Home Office Personal Licence (PIL) holder (PIL A, B and C). Our preferred candidate will have a strong track record in basic discovery cancer research, (ideally in lung cancer) with proven cell and molecular biology and/or pharmacology skills including experience working with in vivo preclinical models. You will be a proactive problem solver who relishes a challenge. With experience in supervising early career researchers and in manuscript/grant writing, you will drive the success of research projects within the SCLC Biology Group. You will enjoy teamwork and gain satisfaction from both personal and team success.

How to apply?

For informal enquiries, please contact, Prof Caroline Dive CBE caroline.dive@cruk.manchester.ac.uk or

Dr Kathryn Simpson kathryn.simpson@cruk.manchester.ac.uk

Closing date: Sunday 2 June 2024.

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