Research Associate in Cancer Biology and Gut Health

About the role

The Barry Lab in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College London is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our team investigating the roles of hydrolytic enzymes and their regulators in colorectal cancer. This position is funded for 2.5 years by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship ‘Targeting hydrolytic enzyme activities to understand, treat and prevent colorectal cancer’ awarded to Dr Barry (PI)

What you would be doing

In this role, your goal will be to identify hydrolytic enzymes implicated in colorectal cancer using cutting-edge ‘omics’ technologies, work with collaborators to develop chemical inhibitors, and validate their efficacy in advanced gut-culture models. You will be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of researchers, students, and clinicians; and benefit from access to world-class facilities, including the Imperial Chemistry Proteomics Facility, the NIHR Imperial BRC Organoid Facility, and the Centre for Intestinal Systems. You will be expected to take full ownership of research projects, from initiation to execution, and contribute to the co-supervision of Master’s and PhD students.

Beyond your core research contributions, you will play a key role in mentoring junior lab members and provide support for those undertaking proteomic experiments. You will take an active role in our collaborative research environment by contributing to lab meetings, leading discussions in journal clubs, and engaging with collaborators and invited speakers, as well as taking advantage of wider development opportunities within Imperial.

What we are looking for

Essential criteria for the role include:

• Hold, or near completion of, a PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology or a closely related field
• Experience in mass spectrometry-based target identification (e.g., activity-based protein profiling, IP-MS or protein-protein interaction) and analysis
• Experience in target validation and/or chemical inhibitor testing using in vitro models, i.e., cell lines
• Strong research track record relative to experience, in academia and/or industry
• Ability to drive research goals independently within a collaborative team setting

Desirable experience for this role includes one or more of the following:

enzyme kinetic studies and substrate profiling, design and optimisation of chemical inhibitors, high-throughput screening assays, complex in vitro culture models (e.g., organoids and/or bacterial co-culture).

What we can offer you

• You will be part of an interdisciplinary team undertaking research which spans the boundaries of fundamental and clinical research
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) based at our Hammersmith Campus.

Please outline clearly in your cover letter how you meet the essential criteria listed in ‘What we are looking for’ section. 

If you require any further details about the role, please contact:

Dr Rachael Barry– r.barry@imperial.ac.uk.

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