Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09027

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

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

18-Aug-2025

About us

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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Preclinical Brain Tumour Therapy and Imaging: This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly inter-disciplinary research project based at UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (Prof Lythgoe) and the UCL Cancer Institute (Prof Pule) to develop the next generation of cancer imaging tools and immunotherapy. Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and incurable brain tumour in urgent need of new treatment approaches. Our aim is to treat GBM via CAR T-cell therapy using a new brain pathway - the glymphatic system. The glymphatic system is a newly discovered waste clearance system in the brain that plays a crucial role in maintaining brain health, with potential implications for the treatment of neurological disease (Dr Ian Harrison). It is a complex network of perivascular channels that facilitate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid, helping to clear out metabolic waste products like amyloid-beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. As such, we will investigate the effects of changing brain clearance on tumour progression and T-cell delivery, with a view to transforming treatment outcomes. The collaborative nature of the project draws together a unique combination of in vivo imaging, neuroscience and CAR T-cell biology in disease-relevant murine models, thus offering a novel and transformative approach to investigating the role of the glymphatic system in GBM invasion and therapy. We are seeking a collaborative and self-motivated postdoctoral research fellow to work on an exciting brain cancer therapy project combining imaging and immunotherapy with the glymphatic system, which is funded by Cancer Research UK. Environment: The Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (CABI) is a world-class imaging centre co-located within the UCL Cancer Institute, which hosts 12 state-of-the-art imaging modalities, including High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Photoacoustic Imaging. The Centre aims to establish an integrated strategy for the development of novel biomedical imaging technologies to understand the mechanisms of disease and develop treatments. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/divisions/medicine/research/centre-advanced-biomedical-imaging The UCL Cancer Institute is the hub for cancer research at University College London, one of the World's leading universities. The Institute draws together over 300 talented scientists who are working together to translate research discoveries into developing kinder, more effective therapies for cancer patients.

About the role

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The post holder will be supervised by Prof Mark Lythgoe and Dr Martin Pule and closely collaborate with the research groups of Dr Ian Harrison (UCL CABI) and Dr Karin Straathof (UCL Cancer Institute), as well as translational research clinicians concerned with both basic immunological principles and understanding the immune response through treatment. The post holder will be based within the Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (CABI) led by Mark Lythgoe and the CAR T cell program led by Martin Pule, both the largest of their kind. This project will build on a strong track record of significant discoveries in the field of brain glymphatics, tumour imaging/immunology at UCL CABI and the UCL Cancer Institute, as such the candidate will benefit from expert training in an exciting and dynamic environment. The role involves advanced imaging approaches: Photoacoustic Imaging, Light Sheet Imaging, Bioluminescence, Fluorescence and MRI to study the glymphatic system and invasion patterns of brain tumour, including the development of genetic imaging reporters to track T-cell therapy and outcomes. The starting salary is contingent on the candidate's previous experience. For informal enquiries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Prof Lythgoe (m.lythgoe@ucl.ac.uk).

About you

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We are seeking a collaborative and self-motivated postdoctoral research fellow to work on an exciting brain cancer therapy project combining imaging and immunotherapy funded by Cancer Research UK Successful candidates must have a Postdoctoral qualification (PhD), provide evidence of independence and original contributions to research and previous experience with imaging/cancer/ immunotherapy/glymphatic system. The role is ideally suited to a creative individual with a strong interest in cancer immunotherapy, mouse brain imaging, the glymphatic system, genetic reporters and novel cellular therapy development. The candidate would benefit from preclinical imaging and a record in application of in vivo imaging systems e.g. MRI/Optical/Photoacoustic imaging. As well as having excellent research and communication skills, you will be a team player keen to work in a collaborative culture with a desire to develop novel CAR T cell therapeutic and imaging approaches, contribute to scientific aims of the project and aid in submission of publications to refereed journals.

What we offer

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This is an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team working across the Division of Medicine. As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: o 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) o Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme o Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) o Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan o Immigration loan o Relocation scheme for certain posts o On-Site nursery o On-site gym o Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay o Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service o Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we knowdiversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community torepresent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality ofopportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we allbelong. We therefore particularly encourageapplications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL'sworkforce. These include people from Black, Asian andethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silveraward, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancinggender equality.