Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09055

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

43,374 51,860

Contract Type

Permanent

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

20-Jul-2025

About us

------------


The 2007 opening of the Cancer Institute in the Paul O'Gorman Building heralded a new era in cancer research and medicine at UCL. The Institute is consolidating cancer research across the campus. In particular, it fosters links between basic cancer researchers across Biomedicine, and with the clinical activities of our partner Hospitals (University College London Hospitals including Queen Square, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the Royal Free Hospital). The Institute is a 40 million investment by UCL, The Wolfson Foundation, Children with Leukaemia and Atlantic Philanthropies. The overall grant income in 2007 was 37 million from the principal medical charities concerned with cancer (Cancer Research-UK [CR-UK]; Leukaemia Research Fund), other charities including the Wellcome Trust, and from government agencies such as the Medical Research Council. The Institute also incorporates the activities of the new Cancer Clinical Research Facility (Cancer CRF, jointly developed with University College Hospital), and the CR-UK/UCL Clinical Trials Centre (CTC). The Cancer CRF, opening January 2009, will be a state-of-the-art Facility for first-in-man, as well as early phase, clinical trials.

About the role

------------------


We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow to join the

Leukaemia Biology Group at the UCL Cancer Institute.

Our group works on acute leukaemia, with a primary focus on adult and paediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL). We believe that an in depth understanding of the genetics and biology of T-ALL will ultimately enable us to develop novel therapeutics that can be rapidly moved into clinical trials through our close ties with UCLH and Great Ormond Street Hospital, two of the largest malignant haematology centres in Europe.



The successful candidate will join an exciting project, funded through a CRUK Programme Foundation Award, seeking to discover novel mechanisms of oncogene activation occurring through enhancer dysregulation, with a focus on noncoding somatic mutations. We are particularly interested in dissecting how TAL1, together with its partners MYB and GATA3, drive gene activation and oncogenesis, and we have identified a number of promising therapeutic avenues that require further investigation. The project spans both basic and translational science, the relative focus of which can be somewhat adapted to the interest of the successful candidate.



The project will enable the candidate to develop a deeper understanding of leukaemia biology and gain a wide range of skills including genomics, epigenetics, handling of primary patient material, PDX mouse models (optional), CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing/screening, proteomics, and bioinformatics. The project will also enable the candidate to widen their scientific network through interacting with key collaborators on this project (Francis Crick Institute, MSKCC, MD Anderson, Institute of Child Health, UCL Cancer Institute).



The successful candidate is expected to lead lab work related to the project, and to provide supervision to students as required. Depending on the candidate's skillset and desire, they may also be involved in development of mouse models, although this is not requisite. They will be expected to have excellent skills in molecular biology and experience in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Furthermore, they will be expected to work closely with the study bioinformatician to analyse data and collate results for presentation and publication.



The post is funded for 2 years in the first instance.

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD

; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B, with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

Applications should include a CV and a Cover Letter:

In the Cover Letter please evidence the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification part of the . (By including a Cover Letter, you can leave blank the 'Why you have applied for this role' field in the application form, which is limited in the number of characters it will allow.)

About you

-------------


This is a challenging post for a talented and enthusiastic candidate with a strong background in molecular biology, epigenetics and tissue culture. The successful applicant must have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in biomedical sciences or a related biological sciences subject and BSc in biomedical sciences or a related subject 2:1 or above.



Advanced understanding of epigenetics, ability to teach and supervise technicians and to work collaboratively in a team are essential.



Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and other forms of public presentation and experience in design and running of murine models are desirable but not essential.

What we offer

-----------------


As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below


+ 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
+ Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
+ Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
+ On-Site nursery
+ On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
+ Employee assistance programme
+ Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance



For rewards and benefits at UCL please visit:



https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

-------------------------------------------------------


As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/