Research Assistant - RNA Therapeutics and Adipose: Tumour Crosstalk in Prostate Cancer

The Prostate Cancer Research group, in the Division of Cancer, invites applications for a Research Assistant position from highly-motivated applicants with an enthusiastic interest in the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of prostate cancer. You would be joining an expanding group, undertaking collaborative and multidisciplinary work with the aim of progressing a novel DNA-damaging small RNA-based therapeutic towards clinical trials. You will also contribute to a project investigating the role of adipose: tumour communication in driving prostate cancer lethality. This role provides a unique opportunity to conduct research on cutting-edge, patient-derived models, and will involve experiment set-up, sample harvesting and storage, analyte isolation and downstream assays. Research is conducted in collaboration with world-leading academic scientists from Imperial Chemistry and Urology, offering excellent opportunities to develop skills and networks.

This post is funded by Prostate Cancer Research, Worldwide Cancer Research and Prostate Cancer UK and provides the opportunity to work within the Division of Cancer, at Imperial, one of the leading research-led Universities worldwide. This offers an outstanding environment for basic, clinical and translational research and a broad range of support and career development opportunities.

What you would be doing

• You should be well-organised, self-motivated, able to work effectively as part of a team, and passionate about excelling in biomedical research.
• You will be required to pro-actively liaise with diverse teams, thus excellent communication and organisational skills are essential.
• You will also demonstrate a passion for developing new research capabilities.
• You will carry out research programmes and undertake project management tasks.
• You will conduct and plan your own scientific work with appropriate supervision.
• You will appropriately process and store clinical samples.
• You will have a knowledge and abide by conditions of the ethical approvals obtained in relation to this programme of work.
• To work closely with other team members and maintain effective lines of communication with all team members.

What we are looking for

• The successful candidate will hold a First Class or an Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in molecular/cell/cancer biology, biomedical sciences, or a closely-related discipline.
• A related MRes/MSc (or equivalent experience) and publications in peer-reviewed journals are highly desirable.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in a broad range of molecular and cell biology techniques, with skills in the following being particularly desirable: RNA and protein isolation, culture of primary human tissues and cell lines, RNA manipulation/functional assays, cell fractionation, immunohistochemistry, biofluid handling, immunoprecipitation.
• Proficiency in basic bioinformatics and statistical operations is also advantageous, and some knowledge of prostate cancer molecular biology is highly desirable.
• The candidate should be able to communicate effectively within a small research sub-team.

What we can offer you

• You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of senior academics, clinical and non-clinical researchers, and PhD students.
• You will have the opportunity to participate in regular lab meetings, departmental research meetings, and work with research students.
• As a member of research staff you have 10 development days to use to develop your skills and explore your career prospects.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

The position will be hosted at the Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London at the Hammersmith campus. The duration of the post is 15 months. The expected starting date is 1st October 2026.

Information relating to the research interests of the group may be found at: Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above. We reserve the right to close the advert before the stated closing date, should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top-ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact. Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network. This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our web pages.

Proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces community. Our values are at the root of everything we do, and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.