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Research Fellow in Cancer Immunotherapy - B02-05139

Employer
University College London (UCL)
Location
London
Salary
£39,508 - £47,355 per annum
Closing date
23 Jun 2023

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Discipline
Life Science
Job Type
Researcher
Employment - Hours
Full time
Duration
Permanent
Qualification
PhD
Sector
Academia

About us

We are seeking a collaborative and self-motivated postdoctoral research fellow to work on an exciting cancer immunotherapy project named NexTGen, as part of the prestigious Cancer Grand Challenge initiative: (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/jun/ucl-researchers-receive-ps12m-cancer-grand-challenges). The NexTGen team unites leading CAR T cell and tumour immunology experts from the UK, US and Europe, to develop novel T cell therapies for childhood solid tumours. The project focus is on childhood sarcomas and brain tumours which remain cancers of high unmet clinical need. T cell immunotherapy is showing first signals of activity in solid tumours and hence the time is now to apply a concerted effort incorporating both discovery and translational science to develop next generation T cell therapies which can achieve complete and durable responses in recalcitrant childhood cancers.

The NexTGen projects will address the key barriers that need to be tackled to develop effective T cell therapies for childhood cancer: (1) Requirement for target antigens suitable for use against paediatric solid cancer; (2) Understanding of the tumour immune microenvironment (TME) of paediatric cancers to inform T-cell engineering strategies to resist it; (3) Generation of T-cell engineering components specially designed against paediatric cancer targets and TME; (4) Improved model systems recapitulating childhood tumours including their TME to allow testing of complex engineered T cell systems effectively; (5) Clinical studies which allow iterative testing of T-cell therapies to achieve timely advancement.

About the role

The primary duty of the post-holder will be to develop and apply novel tumour models suitable for the testing and selection of engineered T cell therapies. This role forms part of the NexTGen project with overarching aim to deliver effective T cell therapies for childhood solid cancers. The postholder will work on the development and application of novel tumour models suitable for engineered T cell systems selection. Further information about the NexTGen project information is available at: https://www.nex-t-gen.com/.

The role is ideally suited for a creative individual with a strong interest in tumour immunology and cancer immunotherapy, and novel cellular therapy development including clinical translation in a leading academic setting. The successful applicant will have a proven track record in cellular therapy and/or tumour immunology and is expected to have strong skills T cell biology. Prior experience with either T cell engineering, tumour immune environment interrogation or modelling is essential. The position will be based within a multi-disciplinary team of cancer biologists, wet-lab scientists and translational research clinicians concerned with both basic immunological principles and understanding the immune response through treatment.

The post holder will be based within the largest CAR T cell program in Europe led by Martin Pule and will work within the international NexTGen network which includes UCL, Washington University Children’s National, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, Cardiff University, INSERM Paris and the Institute of Cancer Research London. The NexTGen team further includes a patient advocacy panel who will contribute to all aspects of the NexTGen project including supporting engagement activities with patients and the public at large.

The post holder will be supervised by Prof Sergio Quezada and closely collaborate with the labs of Dr Karin Straathof, Dr Martin Pule, Dr Kevin Litchfield, and Prof Marc-Olivier Coppens.

The post is for 2 years in first instance with a possibility to extend.

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

About you

Successful candidates must have a PhD awarded in relevant subject area. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B (salary £34,502 - £36,348 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

Evidence of independence and original contributions to research including first or last author peer-reviewed publications is essential. Previous postdoctoral experience in cancer immunotherapy and experience with R and Python are desirable but not essential.

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

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/

 

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