Research Assistant/Associate in Cancer Early Detection and Genetics

Research Assistant £33,951 to £35,608 per annum (pro rata)

Research Associate £36,636 per annum (pro rata)

The Role

We are seeking a Research Assistant/Associate to deliver world-leading research in early cancer detection using liquid biopsies, working within the Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences.

The research is led from the Cancer Prevention Research Group, Principal Investigators Professor Sir John Burn and Dr Richard Gallon, based at the International Centre for Life, and is part of a European collaboration working with institutions across 16 countries. John and Richard have over a decade of experience developing, translating into practice, and commercialising assays for cancer diagnostics, and won the Cancer Research Horizons Translational Project of the Year Recognition Award 2025 in recognition of their real-world impact. John led the CaPP clinical trials demonstrating the benefit of daily aspirin on cancer risk. John and Richard have a global network and sit on the boards of several national / international expert bodies shaping healthcare research and guidelines.

The research will assess novel liquid biopsy tests for the early detection of cancer in people with Lynch syndrome, working within the Predi-Lynch collaboration (https://predi-lynch.eu/). Predi-Lynch is funded by the European Commission Horizon Europe Mission on Cancer, with a total budget of 13.6 million Euro. Samples, including urine and vaginal swabs, will be collected from clinical trial participants across Europe and the UK & sent to Newcastle University for analysis using the Newcastle MSI-Plus Assay to screen for urothelial & endometrial cancer (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41138669/). Ultimately, results from Predi-Lynch will inform cancer surveillance strategies for Lynch syndrome, improving patient outcomes & benefitting healthcare services. The role will be to deliver Newcastle’s part in the Predi-Lynch collaboration, including laboratory-bench & computational work, as well as sample & data management & reporting back to collaborators.

We are looking for a researcher with a background in cancer genetics research who has prior experience with development &/or use of diagnostic assays. Expert knowledge of Lynch syndrome & microsatellite instability are desirable. Essential skills include expertise with molecular biology & a strong foundation in the use of bioinformatics. The candidate will need to have the highest level of rigor in the laboratory & when handling data as assay results will affect the care of trial participants. Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training will be needed & prior work to GCP standards is desirable. Adept verbal & written communication skills are essential.

The role will begin late summer/early autumn 2026 & will be part time at 90% full-time equivalent for 4 years. Attendance on-site is essential for laboratory-based work though some degree of flexible working can be negotiated. Availability to attend international conferences & meetings of the Predi-Lynch consortium once or more each year is needed.

We follow the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture & vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual & their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development & research activities, peer review support for the development of research & innovation funding applications’.

To apply, please provide a cover letter & CV. We anticipate interviews will be held in August 2026.

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here 

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

Contacts for the post are Professor Sir John Burn (john.burn@newcastle.ac.uk) & Dr Richard Gallon (richard.gallon@newcastle.ac.uk).

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