Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09695

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

43,981-52,586

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

On site

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

27-Nov-2025

About us

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The UCL Cancer Institute is the hub for basic biological and translational cancer research at University College London, one of the world's leading universities. The Institute draws together over 400 talented scientists who are working together to translate research discoveries into developing more effective therapies for cancer patients. The UCL Cancer Institute is part of the CRUK City of London Centre, which draws together the expertise present in four leading centres for cancer research, UCL, Barts, KCL and the Francis Crick Institute.



Further Information about the UCL Cancer Institute can be found on our website https://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/

About the role

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


We are seeking a self-motivated, enthusiatic post-doctoral research fellow to work in the

Dendritic cell Immunotherapy lab headed by Prof. Clare Bennett

The Bennett lab has strong links with the I

nstitute of Immunity and Transplantation at UCL and the Francis Crick institute

. This intersection between world-leading cancer biologists, immunologists and immunotherapists provides an exciting and stimulating working environment.



Our work is focused on gaining a greater understanding of

Langerhans Cells (LC)

and

Dendritic Cells (DC)

within tissues such as the skin and tumours, and how this knowledge may be exploited for therapeutic purposes.



LCs are pivotal to establishing and maintaining the skin barrier via their key function in immune surveillance and non-immune interactions with nerves and blood vessels. Repair of the LC network is therefore essential to protecting skin function, but the cellular and molecular processes by which this occurs, and how it may be impacted by disease remain understudied. This project is focused on understanding how the hair follicle niche supports repair of the LC network by monocytes. By combining immunology, stem cell biology and dermatology the applicant will investigate how monocytes become epidermal LCs and how repair of the network impacts skin health.



Further details of our research interests can be found at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/divisions/cancer/our-research/dendritic-cell-immunotherapy



The starting salary is contingent on the candidate's previous experience. This project will build on a strong track record of significant discoveries in immunology at the Cancer Institute and across UCL, and the candidate will benefit from expert training in an exciting and dynamic environment.

Appointment at Grade 7 or 8

is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD and subsequent experience; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B 38,357- 41,005 (salary per annum) 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.)



The role will be available for 36 months.

About you

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


Successful candidates must have a Postdoctoral qualification (PhD), (or be in the process of submitting a PhD) in Immunology or Developmental Cell Biology or Skin physiology if relevant to the research.



Experience working with at least 2 of the following technologies is a must:


+ advanced microscopy and image analysis
+ genomic manipulation of cells eg via CrispR
+ genomics methodologies, e.g. RNA-seq or scRNA-seq
+ flow cytometry



Authorship of papers in relevant research areas, either published or under review, experience of presenting their work at conferences and evidence of independence and original contributions to publications are desirable for appointment at Research Fellow Grade 7 and essential requirements for appointment at Senior Research Fellow, Grade 8.

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

Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

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/