Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate

Posting Start Date:

24/07/2025

Job Id:

1291

School/Department:

School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,249.00-40,497.00

Closing Date:

21/08/2025
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

Applications are invited for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join Sheffield's Translational Neuro-Oncology Research Group led by Prof. Spencer Collis (Science), Mr. Ola Rominiyi (Translational) and Mr. Yahia Al-Tamimi (Clinical) based within the Division of Clinical Medicine at the University of Sheffield's Medical School.



We are seeking a highly motivated, practically skilled, well organised and semi-independent individual to work on a 3-year YCR-funded project to carry out mechanistic interrogation of intra/inter-tumoural heterogeneity within the DNA Damage response and how this impacts therapeutic resistance to in order to develop more effective pan-tumour treatment strategies.


This will involve investigating spatially-mediated molecular divergence in response to chemo/radio-therapy and therapeutic/preclinical DDR inhibitors within a cohort of matched GSC heterogeneity models within the Sheffield Living Biobank of patient-derived primary glioma stem cell-like (GSC) culture models. These findings will synergise with our spatial bioinformatic profiling of these tumour models and will be used to develop potential DDR-targeted combination therapies with as much pan-tumour efficacy as possible.

Main duties and responsibilities

Design, execute and evaluate experiments Keep excellent experimental records Prepare reports regularly and feed back to other members of the research group. Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, attend and deliver seminars/lab meetings Help supervise undergraduate and MSc students Advise PhD students as necessary as part of a collaborative research team. 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

Have a PhD (or be close to completion) in molecular or cell biology, or equivalent experience.


Essential


Application/interview


Extensive practical and theoretical experience in human cell culture growth and manipulation, including molecular and cellular laboratory work especially in western blotting, immunofluorescence and cell survival assays.


Essential


Application/interview


Experience of designing experiments and accurately collecting data with subsequent robust analysis using appropriate statistical methods.


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to update and acquire new skills and knowledge in line with advances in the relevant subject area, including technical expertise and experience.


Essential


Application/interview


Knowledge of and compliance with good laboratory practice.


Essential


Application/interview


Awareness of laboratory safety and general laboratory competence.


Essential


Application/interview


Effective written and verbal communication skills.


Essential


Application/interview


Experience of preparing and delivering presentations and reports on data generated.


Essential


Application/interview


Ability to work either independently and/or as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet deadlines.


Essential


Application/interview


Be able to assist and support research students, PDRAs and other staff, as well as visiting researchers when required.


Essential


Application/interview


Generic IT skills, including Microsoft Office suite and Prism.


Essential


Application/interview


Good organisational and time management skills and a proven ability to keep accurate and reliable records.


Essential


Application/interview


Practical and theoretical experience in stem cell and/or brain tumour biology.


Desirable


Application/interview


Expertise in DNA damage response and repair assays.


Desirable


Application/interview

Further Information

Grade:

7.3

Salary

:38,249-40,497

Work arrangement:

Full-time

Duration:

3 years

Line manager:

Project Lead

Direct reports:

Project Lead

Our website:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/people/clinical-medicine/spencer-collis



For informal enquiries about this job contact


Prof. Spencer Collis, Project Lead: at s.collis@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the first or second week in September 2025. This will consist of a short presentation of past research followed by a panel interview with an opportunity to see the facilities, meet with other lab members and ask questions. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in mid to late August 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact

clinmed-staffing@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 integrated with our Academic Career Pathways. 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.

Criminal record

A

basic/standard with barred lists

DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).



Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).


Closing Date : 21/08/2025





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.