Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate: Cell/Development and Cancer Biology

Posting Start Date:

21/08/2025

Job Id:

1466

School/Department:

Biosciences

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,784.00 - 39,906.00

Closing Date:

17/09/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

A Yorkshire Cancer Research funded Research Associate position is available in Dr. Kyra Campbell's research group to work with our exciting models for studying metastatic cancer using Drosophila melanogaster. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of a novel cancer drug screening platform using Drosophila.



This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Campbell group, who are focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial cell plasticity during development and cancer progression. We study how this fundamental property is orchestrated during morphogenesis of the Drosophila midgut, and also in our exciting Drosophila cancer models. We combine single-cell OMICs approaches and deep-tissue fixed and live imaging on our own lab's dedicated multiphoton confocal microscope, with genetic approaches and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies.



We are looking for a motivated applicant with a PhD (or have equivalent postdoctoral level work experience) in areas relevant to cell/development and cancer biology, along with experience in in vivo imaging and image analysis - including making your own macros for image analysis in Fiji. Applicants are expected to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be highly independent and committed to research in a fast-moving and competitive field.

Main duties and responsibilities

Carry out experiments to generate high quality data to identify compounds that affect metastatic cancer progression in our Drosophila models, and to understand how they are acting. Be able to work flexibly, to take account of limited availability of living biological samples at particular timepoints (specifically Drosophila) that may require collection, processing and imaging outside normal working hours, and limited access to specialised equipment such as microscopes and luciferase plate readers. Design, develop and refine experiments in order to obtain reliable data. Analyse and record data to aid the design of future research and produce useful findings for other academics, funders, policy makers and practitioners. Prepare papers for journals/presentations either in-house or at national/international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings. Plan and prepare several months in advance for publications and conference presentations. Read and understand academic papers and journals, and attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field. Write supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the Research Group, e.g. reports, interim reports and grant applications. If given a particular hypothesis to examine, plan for own contribution up to 3 months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments. Carry out administrative roles as required, e.g. ordering reagents. Contribute to the supervision of PhD students and other team members within the group. Contribute to the scientific wellbeing of the Research Group and Department. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Hold a PhD (or equivalent postdoctoral level work experience) in a relevant subject area (cell/development and cancer biology).


Essential


Application


Evidence of recent research productivity appropriate to career stage in a relevant area e.g. senior candidates should have first author peer-reviewed research publications in international journals. Candidates just finishing a PhD should ideally have work in preparation.


Essential


Application


Experience in working with Drosophila cancer models.


Essential


Application


Experience in immunohistochemistry, microscopy and live cell imaging.


Essential


Application


Experience in image analysis or bioinformatics analysis.


Essential


Application


Knowledge of programming languages, e.g. Python/R, and the ability to design macros for fiji.


Essential


Application


Experience in developing (semi)high throughput pipelines for implementation and optimisation of candidate drug screens


Essential


Application


The ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities, and prioritise to meet research objectives and writing deadlines on a timescale of months.


Essential


Application


Experience in making fly food to optimise/alter concentrations of specific nutrients (e.g. Protein, carbohydrate and lipids) and/or therapeutics.


Essential


Application


Experience in working with extremely high numbers of biological samples and the organisational skills to correctly maintain high numbers of biological samples for prolonged periods.


Essential


Application


Ability to analyse and creatively solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications.


Essential


Interview


Ability to work flexibly according to the biological demands of the experimental system and availability of equipment.


Essential


Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

38,784 - 39,906 per annum

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

Fixed term for 12 months from 1 November 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) to 30 September 2026

Line manager

Senior Lecturer

Direct reports

None

Our website

Campbell Lab

Development, Regeneration & Neurophysiology Research Cluster


For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Kyra Campbell, Senior Lecturer, at kyra.campbell@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of a research presentation and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.