Job Description

Job Category: Academic
:
Grade UE07: 41,064 to 48,822 per annum pro-rata
CMVM / The Roslin Institute
Full-time: 17.5 hours per week
Fixed-term: 3 years
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join our comparative oncology research group at the University of Edinburgh. The successful candidate will work with Professor Kelly Blacklock, Professor Liz Patton, and Dr Mark Stares.
This position is funded by the Humanimal Trust as part of the GENOMICS: Gene Expression in Oral Melanoma for Integrated Cross-Species Stratification project.
The PDRA will lead experimental work integrating molecular, immunological, and histopathological analyses of canine and human oral melanoma samples. The role will focus on: * Generating, optimising, and validating a gene expression assay using canine and human oral melanoma tissue.

• Linking tumour subtypes (assigned using RNA sequencing, the validated gene assay, and immunohistochemistry) to treatment outcomes in NHS patients.

Main Responsibilities

• Conduct molecular and immunological experiments, including RNA/DNA extraction, molecular profiling, immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatics workflows.
• Manage biobank samples and ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance with ethical approvals.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the UK and industry partners to integrate data and deliver project aims.
• Support MSc, PhD, and clinical residents engaged in the project.
• Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and reports for funders and scientific audiences.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• You will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in cancer biology, immunology, molecular pathology, or a related field. Essential experience includes laboratory expertise in molecular or immunological techniques, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and evidence of producing scientific outputs.
• Experience in comparative oncology, translational research, bioinformatics/statistical analysis, and mentoring would be an advantage.

Please note Disclosure Scotland Level 1 Disclosure check (basis disclosure) is required for this role.
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Application Information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter
• 2 references

Informal enquiries are welcome to
As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our

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You will join a supportive and collaborative environment within the Roslin Institute and Institute of Genetics & Cancer, with access to unique cross-species research networks in veterinary and human oncology. This role provides the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to translational cancer research and develop your career within a world-leading research community.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our (opens new browser tab)
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 27th October 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews will be held in December 2025.
About Us: As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow's greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About the Team:
The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment from the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and provides national capability to achieve sustainable agriculture, control diseases and enhance health through pioneering animal bioscience. The Institute is a key part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, which consistently places in the top ten veterinary schools worldwide in QS world rankings. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, a joint submission by the School and Scotland's Rural College in the unit of assessment on Agriculture, Veterinary & Food Science placed first in the United Kingdom.
The Institute became part of the University of Edinburgh in 2008 and moved to a 60M state-of-the-art building at the Easter Bush Campus in 2011. This is now occupied by
400 staff, students and visitors, including around 65 Group Leaders and Tenure Track Fellows on a path to independence. The Institute has a vibrant programme of postgraduate research ( ) (opens in a new browser tab). Research at the Institute is organised across eight divisions (Quantitative Biology, Genome Biology, Functional Genetics, Translational Bioscience, Bacteriology, Virology, Immunology, and Epidemiology) and two Institute Strategic Programmes funded by the BBSRC from 2023-28 (Genes & Traits for Healthy Animals and Prevention & Control of Infectious Diseases).
Over 380M has been invested in physical infrastructure at Easter Bush since 2008, including for research on key terrestrial and aquatic farmed animals. This includes the National Avian Research Facility, a 24M Large Animal Research & Imaging Facility, Aquaculture facilities for fish and shellfish, and an Innovation Centre that is now fully occupied with commercial tenants. The campus serves as a key innovation hub for the Agri-Tech, Aquaculture and Animal Bioscience (3A) sector and Roslin has extensive partnerships with businesses, including animal breeding and pharmaceutical businesses able to translate its discoveries at global scale.
Total income at The Roslin Institute is c. 35M per annum, a significant amount of which derives from the BBSRC via strategic and competitive funding. The Institute partners extensively with the Gates Foundation, which invests in a Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics & Health together with the UK Government to drive genetic gain in farmed animals indigenous to low- and middle-income countries. While primarily focussed on sustainable agriculture and the control of animal diseases, Roslin also aims to enhance human health, for example through control of zoonoses and the use of animals as models of human disease to support preclinical evaluation of candidate medicines.
The Institute has a positive and inclusive culture and holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its commitment to advance the careers of women in science.
Further details of the research conducted at the Institute can be found at ( ) (opens in a new browser tab)

Skills Required