Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term) at University of Cambridge

The Pathania lab aims to unravel the mechanisms underlying glioma development and therapy resistance. Current projects in the lab involve characterising the mechanism of resistance to targeted therapies, the role of heterogeneity in disease development and therapy failure, and the role of the tumour microenvironment in the context of various oncogenic mutations and disease subtypes. We are now seeking an experienced and motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate for a project funded for three years in the first instance.

The project will involve studying the role of senescence and tumour microenvironmental interactions in various mouse models of glioma, a type of lethal and incurable brain tumour, as part of a collaborative programme of work conducted between Cambridge, Imperial, ICR and UCL. Since senescent cells have been shown to promote tumour development and are therapeutically tractable in cancer models, including brain tumours (see PMIDs 37451272, 37267953, 29670296, and 35241831), the aim of this project is to uncover how interactions between glioma cells and senescent cells in the microenvironment contribute to tumour initiation, maintenance, and the response to treatments such as radio and chemotherapy.

The role will involve a substantial amount of in vivo work so prior expertise in using mouse models’ either cancer or neurobiology research, is essential. In addition, expertise in techniques like primary cell culture, confocal microscopy, biochemistry (including IP/ChIP), FACS/flow cytometry, and single-cell epi/genomics is highly desirable. Knowledge of orthotopic engraftment of cells or virus into the brain using stereotaxic coordinates would be advantageous but is not essential, as training for this is available. These techniques will be important for investigating tumour samples from syngeneic and patient-derived xenograft models of various genotypes, with the aim of identifying and characterising senescent and non-senescent cells, tumour cells, and stromal cells, and deconvolving their effects on tumour growth, latency, and treatment response. The work will be supervised by Dr Manav Pathania and will be based at The Milner Institute and the Department of Oncology.

Candidates that have a strong background in two of the following three broad areas of expertise are encouraged to apply: (1) mouse models of cancer or neurodevelopmental disorders, (2) FACS/flow cytometry-based characterisation of tumour/tissue samples, or (3) single-cell multiomics and epigenomics.

The successful applicant will have a strong publication record and an excellent aptitude for research and career development. We are especially looking for applicants with a self-starter mentality, who combine a perceptive and resourceful approach with an ability to work well both in a group setting as well as independently. A proven capacity to design, execute, and interpret your own experiments is essential. The ability to think creatively and develop workaround approaches when faced with challenges that arise while conducting research is highly desirable.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £32,982) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline reasons how you match the criteria for the post.

Please include details of your referees, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: 27th November 2023