Research Associate

About Us

The antibody discovery group at St John’s Institute of Dermatology wishes to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate with knowledge of cancer therapeutics, and experience in cell-based cancer, or antibody functional assays, using technologies such as flow cytometry, and in vivo cancer models, to join its Cancer Antibody Discovery & Immunotherapy research programme. This position is funded through a Medical Research Council Impact Accelerator Award and will focus on developing and evaluating novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) cancer therapeutic agents carrying a cell cycle-blocking drug for translation and commercialization in solid cancers. The post will be fully integrated into the academic team’s translational research programme led by Prof. Sophia Karagiannis, working in close collaboration with academic partners across three institutions.

About the role

The postholder will focus on developing and evaluating novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) cancer therapeutic agents carrying a cell cycle-blocking drug for translation and commercialization in solid cancers featuring a dysregulated CDK2/CCNE1 oncogenic pathway. Thus, a strong interest in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutic agents and payload linking chemistry is desirable. The project will involve functional studies using in vitro/ex vivo functional assays and in vivo rodent models of cancer. These include multicolour flow cytometry, ELISA methodologies, 3D/organoid models of cancer, confocal microscopy, and live cell imaging studies to evaluate internalisation and tumour cell cytotoxicity. In vivo mouse model systems of cancer will also be used to evaluate efficacy. The postholder will work closely with two appointed researchers and liaise with our clinical and academic collaborators. The programme is conducted to specific deliverables and strict deadlines. Therefore, the position will suit a highly motivated and focused team player, with strong communication and collaborative skills.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 28th February 2026.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. BSc in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Biophysics, Biochemistry or related subject
2. PhD awarded in Biological Sciences, Cancer Biology, Cancer Immunology, Molecular Biology, or equivalent of MSc in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Cancer Immunology (or equivalent near completion)
3. Experience in multiparameter flow cytometry
4. Experience in antibody and immune cell functional, potency and efficacy assays and antibody effector function evaluations (e.g. ADCC, ADCP, mast cell degranulation, basophil activation cancer cell viability, cell signaling, other direct effects)
5. Trained in the use of in vivo models of cancer (e.g. for cancer immunotherapy, such as antibody immunotherapies)
6. Organised, highly motivated, focused towards high quality deliverables and able to meet strict deadlines
7. Excellent team player able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
8. Ability to take initiative in problem solving and working independently

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Desirable criteria

1. Isolation and purification of lymphocytes (e.g. monocytes, NK cells, basophils, B lymphocytes) and tumour cells from human and animal specimens
2. Experience in immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence
3. Experience in ELISA-style assays

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