Higher Scientific Officer - Stromal Radiobiology Group (ID 513)

Job Details

Under the leadership of Dr Anna Wilkins, we are seeking to appoint a Higher Scientific Officer to join the Stromal Radiobiology Group within the The Prostate and Bladder Cancer Team. The post-holder will perform in vivo murine experiments in pre-clinical projects using radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy. In addition, the post-holder will carry out research using human samples including management, processing and analysis of clinical patient samples. The post-holder will work in close collaboration with colleagues in the Centre for Translational Immunotherapy. 

Key Requirements

The successful candidate must have extensive hands-on experience in in vivo mouse work and hold a current Home Office Personal Licence PIL modules (AB&C).  

Department/Directorate Information

The Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging brings together research groups that work on how to use radiation therapy, guided by state-of-the-art imaging techniques, in the most effective way to cure cancer. Our work is based on the central idea that the best outcomes will be achieved by delivering curative radiation doses to tumours, while limiting radiation damage to neighbouring normal tissues.  Our therapy often includes adding drug treatments alongside radiation therapy as a means of killing cancer cells more effectively and, at the same time, activating anti-tumour immune responses. Preclinical work includes research that combines radiation therapy with radiation sensitisers and biological response modifiers (for example innate immune activators, immune checkpoint inhibitors) to maximise anti-tumour efficacy and give protection against tumour recurrence. Multiple translational clinical studies seek to address these themes through our collaborators in the RM. Overall, our mission is to cure more patients with fewer immediate and long-term side effects of treatment.

The Centre for Translational Immunotherapy (CTI) is led by Prof Alan Melcher. The CTI has been established to co-ordinate immunology and immunotherapy research across the ICR and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (RM) and provide supporting infrastructure. We have a particular interest in the immune consequences of radiotherapy treatment. The CTI spans the full range of translational research from basic science/pre-clinical modelling to analysis of patient samples.   

The Prostate and Bladder Cancer team carries out a wide range of translational and preclinical research with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes for patients with prostate and bladder cancer. Within this, Dr Anna Wilkins is leading the Stromal Radiobiology Group. The group conducts an exciting programme of bladder cancer research which aims to understand how the tumour microenvironment drives therapy resistance in bladder cancer, and to target these resistance mechanisms. There is a specific focus on the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in this context. Her team combines research using immunocompetent bladder cancer murine models with translational research using patient samples. We are seeking a highly motivated, proactive and well-organised individual to join the team. 

We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Anna Wilkins via email on anna.wilkinson@icr.ac.uk.

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