Senior Postdoctoral Scientist - Autoantibodies

We are seeking to appoint a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher – Autoantibodies to join the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. This project will involve the large scale, agnostic, systematic autoantibody (AAb) profiling of diverse cohorts of samples derived from non‑cancer controls, precancerous conditions, and operable and metastatic cancers before and after immunotherapy‑based treatments. Profiling will be carried out using techniques including yeast and phage display and protein arrays, followed by cloning of AAbs from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and functional assessment using molecular and cellular biology techniques, including live cell imaging. Further functional analysis will be undertaken in 2D or 3D ex‑vivo models, including organoids, and in vivo. This work will contribute to the production of an atlas mapping the roles and associations of antibodies across the cancer spectrum, with implications for biomarker discovery and translational applications.

Responsibilities

• You will be responsible for developing research questions within the context of the autoantibody project and conducting individual research while managing your own academic and administrative activities.
• You will adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols, test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, and review and refine working hypotheses as appropriate.
• You will share responsibility for shaping the research group’s plans and contribute to research project strategy, agree clear task objectives, organise and delegate work to other members of the autoantibody team, and provide guidance on specialist methodologies or procedures.
• You will work with colleagues in partner institutions and research groups, raise research funds and contribute to grant applications, and manage your own area of a larger research budget.
• You will regularly write research articles for peer‑reviewed journals, book chapters and reviews, present papers at national conferences, and lead seminars to disseminate research findings.
• You will use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment, act as a source of information and advice on scientific protocols and techniques, and participate in public engagement and widening access activities.

Qualifications

• It is essential that you hold a PhD in cancer biology or immunology with post‑qualification research experience and have technical expertise in molecular and cellular biology techniques, including antibody cloning and protein production/purification.
• You will have excellent knowledge in cancer biology and/or immunology, with expertise in B cell biology, antibody production and delivery.
• You must have expertise in ex‑vivo and in‑vivo experimental models and a strong publication record with peer‑reviewed first‑author publications, together with familiarity with the existing literature in the field.
• You will demonstrate experience contributing to the supervision of students and/or junior staff, and the ability to manage research, contribute to collaborative projects, and communicate scientific findings effectively.

Application Process

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date.

Contract Details

This position is offered full time on a fixed‑term contract for 5 years and is funded by Cancer Research UK.

Deadline

Only applications received before 12 midday on Thursday, 23 April 2026 will be considered.