At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team researching prostate cancer and contribute to groundbreaking clinical trials.
- Company: UCL Cancer Institute, a leader in cancer research and innovation.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, gym access, and employee support services.
- Other info: Inclusive environment encouraging diverse applicants and offering excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cancer treatment while pursuing a PhD.
- Qualifications: Experience in pathology and familiarity with prostate cancer histology required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 52800 £ per year.
UCL Cancer Institute (UCL CI) is a state-of-the-art institute to consolidate cancer research at UCL and promote links with our partner teaching hospitals, in order to support excellence in basic and translational studies. The Institute draws together talented scientists who are working together to translate research discoveries into developing kinder, more effective therapies for cancer patients. It is a Cancer Research UK and Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, and contains approximately 580 staff, including 120 PhD and MD (Res) students and 40 MSc students.
We are seeking to appoint a pathologist as a Clinical Research Fellow in prostate cancer histopathology.
About the role
The STAMPEDE trial (www.stampedetrial.org) was the first multi-arm multi-stage platform trial to open (in 2004) and to date has contributed to several large-scale changes in the management of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Over the past few years we have used molecular tests for biomarker-based stratification and for interrogating disease biology that underlies treatment resistance. STAMPEDE2 was initiated in 2023 and builds on STAMPEDE1, to further improve the outcomes of metastatic patients. The trials are conducted by the Innovative CTU at UCL working closely with the Trial Management Group. STAMPEDE2 is randomly allocating patients with high volume metastatic prostate cancer (N=1500) to the radioligand therapy 177Lu-PSMA-617. Patients who consent to STAMPEDE-Life will donate plasma at every point of disease progression and have the option to participate in the post-mortem study (PEACE, Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment). In this programme, recently funded by Prostate Cancer UK, we will track resistant clones after treatment and define mechanisms of resistance to radioligand therapy and how early use of treatment impacts the evolution to treatment-resistant disease. The team will also work closely with scientists studying biopsies of residual disease obtained after radioligand therapy.
The programme aims to integrate molecular pathology with detailed genomic and clinical datasets across different tumour types, in order to map the dynamics of the TME from early to late stage disease and in response to therapies. The Treatment Resistance Team led by Professor Gerhardt Attard is a multi-disciplinary team focusing on studying treatment resistance in advanced urological cancers. The group has been integrating solid tumour and circulating cell-free DNA genomics, transcriptomics and epigenomics with functional studies to track tumour clone dynamics in patients progressing through multiple lines of treatment. The aim is to identify cancer vulnerabilities to be exploited therapeutically and design clinical trials of biomarker-directed strategies for rational treatment selection and sequencing.
The position is available for 3 years in the first instance, with the possibility of extension.
About you
We seek an applicant who has experience in pathology and is familiar with prostate cancer histology. They will ideally have some experience in cancer research and molecular pathology and be able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team of scientists, bioinformaticians and academics from other medical specialities, plus technical and support staff. The post holder will be involved in artificial intelligence digital pathology projects through application of this technology within these landmark patient cohorts and have the opportunity to lead projects in this field. As part of the appointment the candidate is expected to compete for and complete a PhD.
What we offer
- 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 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.
Clinical Research Fellow in Pathology employer: UK Dementia Research Institute
UCL Cancer Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work environment that fosters cutting-edge cancer research. With a commitment to employee growth through opportunities for PhD completion and involvement in pioneering projects, staff enjoy generous benefits including 41 days of holiday, a defined benefit pension scheme, and a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. Located in London, the institute provides a unique chance to contribute to transformative research while being part of a vibrant academic community.
Contact Details:
UK Dementia Research Institute Recruitment Team
