Location: | London |
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Salary: | £40,386 to £47,414 Grade 6 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance, depending upon experience |
Hours: | Full Time |
Contract Type: | Fixed-Term/Contract |
Placed On: | 17th March 2023 |
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Closes: | 13th April 2023 |
Job Ref: | 064391 |
Job description
Applications are invited for an enthusiastic and motivated Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join the laboratory of Dr Jacqui Shields based at the KCL Comprehensive Cancer Centre, and part of the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Shields Lab focuses on detangling immune suppressive networks within the tumour microenvironment and associated tumour draining lymph nodes. We have the ultimate aim of using the knowledge gained to develop new approaches to detect or treat cancer earlier, and improve patient outcome
The project:
Tumour-associated lymphatic vessels drain material away from tumours. The fluid, or lymph, they carry is rich in products excreted by tumours and trafficking immune cells and is sufficient to induce profound changes within lymph nodes.
Collection of a blood liquid biopsy can be used to detect prognostic, and theranostic biomarkers including circulating tumour cells, proteins and cell-free DNA. However, at early stages of disease the concentration of circulating biomarkers is often very low. In contrast, lymph is transported directly to the sentinel LN before eventually reaching the blood, and may contain higher concentrations of tumour-derived biomarkers. Thus, lymph and the lymph nodes they bathe represent a largely unexplored and potentially rich source of molecular and cellular biomarkers to aid diagnosis and progression risk.
The successful candidate will drive an exciting CRUK funded project to evaluate lymphatic cargo and breast cancer-draining lymph nodes as a means to recognize molecular and cellular adaptations instigated in early stages of cancer as tumours develop. In these studies, you will utilize preclinical tumour models, high dimensional techniques including single cell genomics, mass spectrometry and mass cytometry, alongside complementary state of the art imaging platforms.
Candidates should have (or be close to finishing) a PhD in cancer immunology or related field.
This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 3 years
This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent
Key responsibilities
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
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