Senior Scientific Officer: Testing Novel Therapeutics and Biomarker Development Using Patient-Derived Ex Vivo Cultures

Duration: fixed term until 31 March 2025

About the role:

The Cancer Biomarker Centre (CBC) is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative team specialising in cancer biomarker identification and development. CBC are world-leaders in the generation of circulating tumour cell (CTC)-derived explant (CDX) preclinical models^1,2. CDX can be grown in vivo and as short-term cultures ex vivo, allowing genetic manipulation and function testing studies³. We aim to generate new models from a range of cancer types, and to extensively characterise and interrogate these to discover new targets and biomarkers of cancer.

We seek to appoint a motivated and experienced research scientist with diverse expertise in cell biology, molecular biology and pharmacology. The role involves conducting independent research utilising CDX cells cultured ex vivo, followed by downstream functional assays to understand their molecular heterogeneity and response to targeted therapies. The post holder will be responsible for directing research and mentorship of a small team under the guidance of the preclinical pharmacology team leader. Assays include in vitro/ex vivo cell-based assays to evaluate cellular responses to novel targeted agents, assessment of predictive and pharmacodynamic biomarkers, characterisation of primary cell cultures, cloning and molecular biology projects. This role affords an exciting opportunity to be part of a team testing the efficacy of novel therapeutics with parallel development of biomarkers to optimise their application in the clinic.

¹Hodgkinson et al., Nature Medicine (2014); ²Simpson et al., Nature Cancer (2020); ³Lallo et al., Clin Cancer Research (2018).

About you:

You should be educated to degree level in a biosciences subject, (or have equivalent relevant experience).  Although training in specialist techniques will be provided, you will have expertise in a range of molecular biological techniques, in tissue culture, and in biomarker assay development and validation. Expertise in working with primary cell cultures would be desirable. Key qualities include independent thinking, leadership, ability to work in a team and good communication skills, all of which are needed to efficiently work in a multidisciplinary team.

Why choose Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute?

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk), an Institute of The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk), is a world-leading centre for excellence in cancer research. The Institute is core funded by Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org), the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world. In spring 2023 the Institute moves into a £150 million flagship purpose-built biomedical research centre directly attached to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in South Manchester.

We are partnered with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (adjacent to the CRUK MI Paterson Building) in South Manchester (www.christie.nhs.uk), one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe.  These factors combine to provide an exceptional environment in which to pursue basic, translational and clinical research programmes.

How to apply?

To apply for this position please click on the Apply link

For any informal enquiries about this post, please contact:

Pre-clinical Pharmacology Team Lead: Kathryn Simpson kathryn.simpson@cruk.manchester.ac.uk or

Deputy Team Lead: Laura Burks: Laura.Burks@cruk.manchester.ac.uk

Advert information