Research Assistant in Childhood Cancer Genomics

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
In this role, you will join the research team of Dr Sarra Ryan in the use of ultra-long-reads and hybrid sequencing approaches to explore highly repetitive DNA sequence in relation to genomic instability in childhood cancer. Highly repetitive DNA is impossible to resolve using conventional short-read sequencing technologies. Your role will facilitate the identification of novel genetic variation in poorly explored genomic regions, and in relation to specific forms of genomic instability and cancer development.

You will work closely with internal and external collaborators to develop laboratory protocols to produce ultra-long reads and sequencing data produced from long read (such as Oxford Nanopore Technologies, PacBio) and short read (Illumina) technologies. Furthermore, you will facilitate the bioinformatic analysis of the data with support from bioinformaticians and biostatisticians within the group. The bioinformatic work will be performed using high performance cloud computing solutions.

This project offers the opportunity to utilise emerging sequencing approaches and develop novel laboratory and bioinformatic approaches for the detection of novel genetic variants in cancer patients.

This appointment is a fixed-term post for 18 months from 1st November 2025 until 30th April 2027.

For informal enquiries contact: Dr Sarra Ryan (sarra.ryan@newcastle.ac.uk).

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/.

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute to the research programme of the School/Institute under the clear guidance of a member of an academic staff or Principal Investigator.
• Use initiative and creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s).
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project.
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project's dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, book).
• Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities.
• Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant fields of study is kept up to date.
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate.
• Maintain academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies).
• Possible supervision and demonstration duties within undergraduate laboratories and example classes or in teaching small seminar classes.
• Undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities.
• Develop, with advice, an awareness of own professional development needs and a personal development strategy.

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