Scientific Officer 2 - Testing Novel Therapeutics using Patient Cancer Cell Co-Cultures

Duration: fixed term until 31.03.2025

About the role:

Immunotherapy is currently the most rapidly expanding area in oncology therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are now established as standard of care for many cancers. In addition, advanced T-cell therapies have been approved for haematological malignancies and are being assessed for solid tumours. Although not all patients benefit from these therapies, scientific research is highlighting new opportunities to harness the immune system in the fight against cancer. Testing of emerging therapies in patient relevant models, together with the identification of predictive, prognostic and resistance biomarkers, is required to support therapeutic development and inform clinical trial design. The Cancer Biomarker Centre (CBC) at the CRUK Manchester Institute discovers, develops and validates biomarkers to support personalised cancer medicines and conducts translational research to validate therapy targets and understand therapy responses.

We are currently seeking to appoint a Scientific Officer within CBC with a keen interest in the development of novel therapies to improve cancer patient outcomes. You will conduct translational research developing and optimizing primary cancer and immune cell co-cultures to evaluate therapy responses within a new, collaborative partnership between the CBC and a major Pharmaceutical Company. This role affords an exciting opportunity to be part of a team testing the efficacy of novel therapeutics with parallel development of biomarkers to optimize their application in the clinic.

About you:

You should be educated to degree level in a biosciences subject (or have equivalent relevant experience). Whilst training in specialist techniques can be given to acquire the necessary skill sets, you will have experience in a range of molecular biological techniques, in tissue culture including primary culture, and in biomarker assay development and validation. You will have relevant experience in working in a Life Science Laboratory; some training in immunology is desired. Key qualities include independent thinking, 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 visit our website: https://www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk/recruitment/candidate/searchvacancies

For any informal enquiries about this post, please contact Simon Hood: simon.hood-2@cruk.manchester.ac.uk

Closing date: Monday 8 May 2023.

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