Research Technician / Scientific Officer – 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 400 talented scientists who are working together to translate research discoveries into developing kinder, more effective therapies 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 Institute has greater clinical links than any comparable centre in the UK, creating a unique opportunity for significant impact on the delivery of clinical service to cancer patients.

The Cancer Institute includes the Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre which is one of the largest cancer trials centres in the UK conducting multi‑centre national and international phase III trials, feasibility studies and early phase I and II studies. Also embedded within the UCL Cancer Institute is the CRUK City of London Centre, a world class hub for cancer biotherapeutics which fosters collaboration between researchers at University College London, King’s College London, Barts Cancer Institute (Queen Mary University of London), and The Francis Crick Institute.

Furthermore, the Institute offers educational programmes that reflect the depth and breadth of research expertise that include BSc Cancer Biomedicine, MSci Cancer Biomedicine, iBSc Oncology, MSc Cancer and PhD studies.

We are seeking a collaborative and self‑motivated laboratory technician with prior laboratory experience in molecular biology and genomics to participate in the running of the LUMES (LUng cancer Metastasis Evolutionary Studies) 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.

PEACE (Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment) study PEACE 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 (Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment) 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.

The role will be available for 4 years in the first instance. This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

About you

• Degree in a relevant subject or appropriate experience
• Excellent practical molecular biology skills and experience
• Excellent knowledge of NGS technologies and applications, in particular, those used in the field of single cell genomics and transcriptomics
• Experience with laboratory automation and high throughput methods
• Ability to work both as a team member and independently under minimal supervision
• Single cell Next Generation Sequencing experience is desirable but not essential.

The nature of running the sequencing equipment requires occasional out‑of‑hours working. The post holder will therefore need to show willingness to work flexibly when deemed necessary by the service head.

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 gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

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.