Bioinformatician scientist in Cancer Vaccine Prevention Project

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Department of Oncology as part of the GO-Precise alliance (PRECancer Intervention, Surveillance & Exploration). This innovative initiative, established in 2024, is a collaboration between the University of Oxford and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) aimed at identifying molecular vulnerabilities in precancers and developing targeted interventions, including vaccines, to intercept them.

This project focuses on designing, validating, and preclinically testing neoepitope-based mRNA vaccines to prevent BRCA-associated cancers such as ovarian and breast cancer. You will play a pivotal role in discovering and validating neoepitopes by analysing immunopeptidomic and genomic sequencing data, as well as interrogating in silico datasets. Working closely with an interdisciplinary team, you will identify epitopes to be engineered into mRNA vaccines, evaluate their immunogenicity using preclinical models, and analyse the datasets underpinning their eventual clinical translation.

This post offers the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge translational cancer research within a highly collaborative environment.

The successful candidate will work with Prof. Sarah Blagden, Dr James Chettle, and GSK collaborators, and will support the broader GO-Precise alliance, aimed at developing vaccines against a wide variety of cancers. The role also includes contributing to laboratory operations and supervision, supporting PhD and master’s students, and presenting findings across the alliance.

The position is based at the Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, and is offered on a full-time fixed-term basis for two years.

An early start date would be preferable for this role.

About you

You will hold a postgraduate degree in a bioinformatics / computational biology / life sciences discipline, or relevant field such as computer science, mathematics or statistics. You will have substantial experience in the analysis of large datasets, which will allow you to interrogate the immunopeptidomics, transcriptomics and proteomics datasets that will be generated within the GO-Precise alliance. Your expertise in bioinformatics analysis will ideally be complemented with experience in molecular biology, genetics, and/or biochemistry.

You will possess strong problem-solving skills and a proven ability to manage and prioritize a high volume of work, ensuring that laboratory operations run efficiently. Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, will enable you to engage confidently with collaborators, team members, and the wider research community. Your flexibility to adapt to changing work patterns and ability to work under pressure without compromising accuracy will be vital to the success of the project.

Desirable qualifications include advanced certification in data science, machine learning, or analytics, expertise in immunohistochemistry and digital imaging techniques. Previous experience working in a molecular or biochemistry laboratory and/or prior knowledge of immunology and the biology of cancer is also desirable.

This is a fixed-term, full-time position offering the opportunity to contribute to ground-breaking translational cancer research in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.

Application Process

If you would like to discuss this role please contact Professor Sarah Blagden at:  sarah.blagden@oncology.ox.ac.uk.

You will be required to upload a supporting statement (setting out how you meet the selection criteria), a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application.

Only applications received before noon on 4th August 2025 can be considered.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

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