Research Assistant/Associate - Prostate Cancer Immunology/Glyco-immunology'

Salary:

Research Assistant: £31,396 to £32,982  per annum

Research Associate: £33,966 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 06 May 2024

The role

We seek an enthusiastic and experienced Cancer Researcher to join our team in the Newcastle Centre for Cancer. 

Prostate cancer is the most common male malignancy, with approximately 1 in 8 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. For men with advanced treatment resistant prostate cancer there are currently no curative therapies available and there is an urgent need to develop new treatment strategies. Immunotherapy has shown exciting promise for some solid tumours but has to date been ineffective for prostate cancer. Currently, it is unclear why prostate tumours are resistant to immunotherapy.

This project aims to investigate the role of androgen receptor (AR) regulation of O-glycosylation as a mechanism controlling CD8+ T cell activity. The proposed project will use a range of techniques, including western blotting, flow cytometry, glycan profiling and primary cell isolations to investigate the role of AR-controlled glycans in CD8+ T cell homeostasis and in anti-cancer activity.

This is an opportunity to address a key problem facing patients with prostate cancer and work towards an improved understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. You will work as a part of a large group of prostate cancer researchers within the Newcastle Centre for Cancer.

You will hold a PhD in relevant area (required for appointment at Associate level) or be close to submission of a PhD in a relevant subject (for appointment at Assistant level). Experience of research including prostate cancer and glycobiology is essential. 

This post is fixed term until 30/11/2024.

For informal enquiries contact: Emma Scott ([email protected] )

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/ 

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles . These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value' 
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements 
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants 
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute.
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Detailed subject knowledge in the area of prostate cancer research 
• Specific experience of glycobiology techniques 
• Specific experience in primary cell isolation and culture
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects 
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability 
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others 
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment 
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications 

Desirable

• Experience in molecular biology techniques (western blotting, qPCR, flow cytometry)
• Demonstratable knowledge of prostate cancer research

Attributes and Behaviour

• Excellent record keeping 
• Excellent teamwork skills 

Qualifications

• A PhD in Cancer Research (Research Associate)
• A Masters degree in or close to submission of a PhD in Cancer Research (for appointment at Assistant level)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are aDisability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 27020