Scientific Officer / Higher Scientific Officer - Endocrine Control Mechanisms team

A position for a Higher Scientific Officer (HSO) research technician post or Scientific Officer (HSO) research technician post is available to provide technical support to the endocrine control mechanisms programme in the BCN Research Centre, working in a new team supervised by Prof. Cathrin Brisken. Appointment to HSO or SO level will be based upon relevance of skills and experience.

Prof. Brisken’s team has recently developed new xenograft models that faithfully recapitulate all stages of ER+ breast cancer development and enable analysis of patient-derived tumor cells. You will provide support to the work of the group using novel in vivo and ex vivo patient-derived xenograft models to investigate the molecular mechanisms that promote disease progression, metastasis, and control dormancy and test novel therapeutic approaches.

The successful candidate will be responsible for manipulating patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) genetically by transducing with lentivirus. You will be reporting on datasets generated using in vivo and ex vivo PDX studies, including analysing whole genome sequence data. Experience using RNA and exon sequencing and contemporary approaches to generation of genetic modifications, such as use of CRISPR-Cas9 are highly desirable for the HSO level position.

You will also provide support for in vivo studies. This may include animal handling and health monitoring, xenograft modelling, in vivo imaging, necropsy, and accurate database keeping and maintenance. Experience of working with animals is desirable, together with ability to perform standard laboratory in vitro techniques. Knowledge of cancer biology and familiarity with in vivo models, 3-D cell culture, in vivo imaging, and STR typing would be advantageous.

You are expected to participate in the day-to-day running of the laboratory, including ordering supplies, maintaining inventories. Additionally, you will provide scientific and technical support for on-going laboratory projects involving histopathology, molecular biology, cell biology and microscopy. This will include generating and analysing data from in vivo and ex vivo experiments, and molecular biology, including cloning, generation of stable cell lines and biochemical techniques and data analysis.

Applicants must have a degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology and HSO level applicants must have in-depth technical laboratory experience in data management, molecular biology and cell biology.

The post will be based in the Brisken laboratory and Biological Service Unit at the Breast Cancer Now Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research, London. The post-holder will closely interact with other researchers within the group as well as scientists in other ICR Research Groups and the Breast Cancer Now Unit at King’s College London.

The laboratory performs translational research and interactions with different clinical partners require flexibility with regards to working schedule and displacements around London.

The appointment will be on a Fixed Term Contract and will be available for a period of 3 years. Starting salary for HSO level will be within the range of £32,000 to £44,400 per annum inclusive based upon relevance of skills and experience. Starting salary for SO level will be within the range of £26,000 to £33,600 per annum inclusive based upon relevance of skills and experience.