Scientific Officer / Higher Scientific Officer - Endocrine Control Mechanisms team

Scientific Officer / Higher Scientific Officer - Endocrine Control Mechanisms team
Closing Date  

17/10/2021, 23:55

Location  
London
Division  
Breast Cancer Research
Team  
Endocrine control mechans
Vacancy Type  
Full time
Type of Contract  
Fixed Term
Length of Contract  
3 years
Hours per Week  
35
Salary Range  
£32,000 - £39,000 p.a.
The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment.
Under the leadership of our Chief Executive, Professor Paul Workman FRS, the ICR is ranked as the UK’s leading academic research centre. Together with our partner The Royal Marsden, we are rated in the top five cancer centres globally.
The ICR is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best minds in the world to join us in our mission – to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.
Vacancy Description  

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 the 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 the relevance of skills and experience.

We look forward to receiving applications from all candidates, wherever in the world they are currently based. We will select those who display the potential to become, or to support, the world leading cancer researchers of the future based on their application and performance at interview. However, we particularly welcome British applicants from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, as they are under-represented within the ICR and nationwide in STEM roles.

The ICR is the leading academic research centre in the UK. Effective industry collaboration and innovation in new medicines and technologies are at the heart of our approach to drive benefits for patients. The ICR is ranked:

 

• first for the quality and impact of our research*
• second worldwide for the number of our publications cited in patents**
• fourth worldwide for the citation rate of scientific research published across all fields**
• fourth worldwide for top-cited research publications**
• in the top five higher education institutions worldwide for academic influence and commercial impact**

 

*2014 Research Excellence Framework

** U-Multirank, 2020

 

Funded by

Job Description and Person Specification  
Endocrine Control Mechanisms HSO-SO Sept 2021.pdf – 256KB
Additional Documentation for Candidates