Research Fellow in Cancer Immunotherapy

Start date: November 2025 or soon after (negotiable)

Project summary

An exciting opportunity is available to join the laboratories of Dr Salah Mansour and Dr Ali Roghanian at the University of Southampton. We are seeking a collaborative and motivated postdoctoral scientist to work on our Blood Cancer UK-funded programme developing next-generation, off-the-shelf immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

This three-year project will harness cytotoxic invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells for precision targeting of AML, an aggressive leukaemia with poor survival outcomes. Building on strong preliminary data, it combines mechanistic and translational immunology with bespoke in vivo models to define and exploit therapeutically relevant subsets. The Research Fellow will lead studies on cytotoxic T cell mechanisms, oversee preclinical validation, and advance CAR-iNKT platforms optimised for AML immunotherapy.

The role bridges basic and translational research and suits a creative scientist with interests in tumour immunology, T cell engineering, and immunotherapy. You will join a multidisciplinary team spanning immunology, and bioinformatics, with access to advanced flow cytometry, 10X Genomics, in vivo imaging platforms.

Key responsibilities

• To work within the Mansour and Roghanian labs, and with collaborators at Southampton and beyond.
• To design, conduct, and analyse in vitro and in vivo immunology experiments.
• To lead the optimisation and functional assessment of human T cells and CAR T cells.
• To liaise and coordinate between project collaborators and core facilities.
• To record analyses accurately and present results at group meetings, national, and international conferences.
• To contribute to dissemination of findings through publications and grant applications.
• To supervise and support junior researchers and students.
• Any other duties appropriate to the scope and grade of the post.

Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to lead their own projects, collaborate on others, and guide PhD and Master’s students.

Essential qualifications, experience and competencies

• PhD (or near completion) in human T cell immunology, cancer biology, or a related discipline.
• Strong practical experience with core immunological assays (e.g. FACS, ELISA, T cell assays).
• Proven competence in the design and execution of experiments using mouse models of cancer.
• Ability to manage projects to timelines, supervise junior staff, and work both independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including at conferences.

Desirable

• Experience with single-cell or bulk sequencing (e.g. 10X Genomics, RNA-seq).
• Familiarity with bioinformatics pipelines and large dataset interpretation.
• Experience in engineering human T cells, viral transduction, or related approaches.
• Home Office Personal Licence.

About us

The University of Southampton offers a strong environment for translational immunology. Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CES) is a hub for infection and immunology, while the Centre for Cancer Immunology (CCI) is the UK’s first dedicated cancer immunology centre. Together, they unite expertise in T cell biology, multiomics, immunotherapy, preclinical modelling, and clinical translation, supported by an embedded Clinical Trials Unit and close links with NHS and industry partners.

Working at the University of Southampton:

Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton!

Applicants should provide:

• A CV
• A cover letter outlining suitability for the role
• Contact details for at least two recent referees

*Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

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