Research Fellow

The post holder will utilise a combination of technologies and methods to analyse genomic information from cancer specimens,including tissue and circulating biomarkers, in the context of clinical studies and clinical trials. The post will require the successful candidate to assess biological findings impact on clinical outcomes and integrate this with other data modalities such as digital images or expression profiling to develop new diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tools.

The successful candidate will be expected to assimilate into the multidisciplinary environment provided on site, and to interact with other groups, in particular with the clinical, bioinformatics, genomics, cell biology and functional genomics teams.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• To be responsible for the design and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) for the analysis of cancer specimens, specifically hybridisation-based NGS and digital PCR.
• To analyse and interpret the data generated in collaboration with the bioinformatics and clinical teams.
• To develop and execute appropriate and effective experiments related to the projects following authorised SOP and maintaining a high level of quality of work.
• To process tissue, blood and other clinical sample types for molecular analyses and to perform library preparations and NGS workflows.
• To liaise with clinical teams in the preparation of protocols for clinical trials and studies.
• To maintain real-time accurate records of all experiments and data, and to present these at laboratory and supervisory meetings.
• To perform advanced maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment within the department, and liaise with manufactures when necessary.
• To assist supervising and providing support and mentorship to junior and technical members of staff, post graduate students and PhD students.
• To prepare scientific manuscripts and presentations for peer review and publication.
• To support the team leader with grant writing and grant reporting.
• To present progress reports to the team and supervisor regularly as well as external audiences.
• To keep abreast of the field by reading scientific literature and attending relevant meetings when possible.
• Any other reasonable duties within the general scope of the post and competence of post-holder.

Planning and Organising:

• To plan and deliver the specific goals of research programmes and contribute to research group planning.
• To plan for the use of research resources, laboratories and workshops where appropriate.
• To plan own day-to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme.
• To coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress.

Resource Management Responsibilities:

• To ensure research resources are used in an effective and efficient manner.
• To contribute to equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• To provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.

Internal and External Relationships:

• To liaise on a regular basis with colleagues, students and clinical teams.
• To build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future
• collaboration.
• To contribute to the School’s outreach programme by establishing links with local community groups, industries etc.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Have or be about to obtain a PhD in cancer genomics, molecular pathology, molecular oncology or related discipline.
• At least three years relevant research experience in cancer genomics/molecular pathology.
• Significant experience with NGS and other sequencing technologies, RQ-PCR and generally handling and analysing nucleic acids.
• Experience of bioinformatics methods or software.
• A publication record commensurate with stage of career in either cancer, genomics or molecular pathology.
• Excellent verbal and written communicational skills.
• Excellent organisational and inter-personal skills.
• Ability to plan, organise & prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Good attention to detail.
• Sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. 1 Ability to communicate complex information clearly and efficiently.
• Team worker, highly motivated, supportive of colleagues within the group.
• Ability to show initiative and work independently when required.
• Ability to work with clinical specimens and in a clinical environment, conforming to regulatory requirements.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• 1st Class or 1 undergraduate degree.
• Understanding of cancer biology.
• Experience in translational cancer research.
• Experience with analysis of circulating cell-free DNA.
• Experience in clinical trials.
• Track record of publications in cancer including publications in high-impact journals.
• Experience contributing to applications for peer reviewed research funding from national or international granting bodies.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Outstanding IT skills.