Project Manager – LUMES (LUng cancer Metastasis Evolutionary Studies)

The UCL Cancer Institute is the hub for cancer research at University College London, one of the World's leading universities. The Institute draws together over 300 talented scientists who are working together to translate research discoveries into developing better, more effective treatments to improve outcomes for cancer patients. In particular, it fosters links between basic cancer researchers across Biomedicine, and with the clinical activities of our four partner Hospital trusts, known as UCL Partners: University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as well as the London School of Pharmacy and Cancer Research UK.

The PEACE (Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment) study is a pan cancer national research autopsy programme in which post-mortem sampling allows access to tissue from all sites of metastasis, and to date has recruited over 400 patients and performed almost 300 autopsies. The PEACE research autopsy study provides an unparalleled resource of cancer and non-cancer tissues with detailed clinical annotation, including clinico-pathological data, imaging and prior cancer treatment histories. LUMES will leverage this unique resource of cancer and non-cancer tissues to investigate the process of metastatic dissemination in lung cancer. Prof. Mariam Jamal-Hanjani is Chief Investigator of the PEACE study. The Jamal-Hanjani Lab is a multi-disciplinary group of passionate and determined individuals who will provide the successful candidate with a stimulating and conducive environment to participate and grow as a scientist. The research in the lab is conducted in close collaboration with local and international scientists and clinicians, across the TRACERx, TRACERx EVO and PEACE consortia and the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence. These collaborative environments will provide the successful candidate with opportunities to learn from a large network of talented professionals.

We are seeking a collaborative and self‑motivated project manager with extensive laboratory experience in molecular biology and genomics to lead and participate in the running and development of the LUMES project. LUMES builds on the national PEACE research autopsy programme and will explore cancer evolution, metastatic migration, tumour plasticity, the tumour microenvironment and drug resistance using single‑cell technologies. The successful candidate will have a wide‑ranging, exciting and challenging remit as a key interface between genomic sequencing, spatial profiling, bioinformatics and clinical disciplines. The role provides an opportunity to directly contribute to cutting‑edge research in a world‑class research institute. The candidate will be expected to oversee and manage the laboratory aspects of the LUMES project, including supervision of staff to develop and make use of laboratory techniques to shed light on extent of intra‑tumour heterogeneity, tumour evolution and nature of evolutionary dynamics in lung cancer. Among other datasets, laboratory techniques will include the generation of next‑generation sequencing (NGS) data such as long‑read sequencing data, spatial transcriptomics, single cell DNA sequencing and circulating biomarkers. The role will be available for 5 years in the first instance.

Successful candidates must have:

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent experience in a research laboratory or core facility.
• Substantial post‑graduate experience in genomics and laboratory experimentation.
• Excellent knowledge of NGS technologies and applications, in particular, those used in the field of single‑cell genomics and transcriptomics.
• Practical experience in the management of scientific projects.
• Strong sense of problem ownership, with the ability to be flexible and support completion of project deliverables.

A qualification in project management, lab management, or safety relevant to a research environment; experience working with a LIMS, including familiarity with developing and maintaining key project documentation; and experience in NGS data analysis (data QC) are desirable but not essential.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays 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

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.