Research Assistant in Cancer Immunotherapy

About us

We are seeking collaborative and self-motivated research assistant to work on an exciting cancer immunotherapy project named NexTGen, as part of the prestigious Cancer Grand Challenge initiative. The Cancer Grand Challenge awards have recently been made, and fund £20m to address major unresolved challenges in cancer research (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2022/jun/ucl-researchers-receive-ps12m-cancer-grand-challenges). The NexTGen team unites leading CAR T cell and tumour immunology experts from the UK, US and Europe, to develop novel T cell therapies for childhood solid tumours. The project focus is on childhood sarcomas and brain tumours which remain cancers of high unmet clinical need. T cell immunotherapy is showing first signals of activity in solid tumours and hence the time is now to apply a concerted effort incorporating both discovery and translational science to develop next generation T cell therapies which can achieve complete and durable responses in recalcitrant childhood cancers. The NexTGen projects will address the key barriers that need to be tackled to develop effective T cell therapies for childhood cancer: (1) Requirement for target antigens suitable for use against paediatric solid cancer; (2) Understanding of the tumour immune microenvironment (TME) of paediatric cancers to inform T-cell engineering strategies to resist it; (3) Generation of T-cell engineering components specially designed against paediatric cancer targets and TME; (4) Improved model systems recapitulating childhood tumours including their TME to allow testing of complex engineered T cell systems effectively; (5) Clinical studies which allow iterative testing of T-cell therapies to achieve timely advancement.

About the role

Your application should include a CV and a Cover Letter: In the Cover Letter please evidence the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification part of the Job Description. (By including a Cover Letter, you can leave blank the 'Why you have applied for this role' field in the application form, which is limited in the number of characters it will allow.) The post holder will work on testing newly developed engineered T cells in in vitro functional assays as well preclinical models of childhood cancer. Further information about the NexTGen project information is available at: https://www.nex-t-gen.com/. The role is ideally suited for a creative individual with a strong interest in tumour immunology and cancer immunotherapy, and novel cellular therapy development including clinical translation in a leading academic setting. The position will be based within a multi-disciplinary team of cancer biologists, wet-lab scientists and translational research clinicians concerned with both basic immunological principles and understanding the immune response through treatment. The post holder will be based within the largest CAR T cell program in Europe led by Martin Pule and will work within the international NexTGen network which includes UCL, Washington University Children’s National, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, Cardiff University, INSERM Paris and the Institute of Cancer Research London. The NexTGen team further includes a patient advocacy panel who will contribute to all aspects of the NexTGen project including supporting engagement activities with patients and the public at large. The post holder will be supervised by Dr Martin Pule and Prof Sergio Quezada and closely collaborate with the labs of Dr Karin Straathof, Dr Kevin Litchfield, and Prof Marc-Olivier Coppens. The post is for 1 year in first instance with a possibility to extend. The starting salary is contingent on the candidate’s previous experience. This project will build on a strong track record of significant discoveries in the field of tumour immunology at UCL Cancer Institute, and the candidate will benefit from expert training in an exciting and dynamic environment. We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

About you

The successful applicant will have experience in cell culture and molecular biology techniques and a MRes or MSc in subject relevant to cellular immunotherapy. Prior experience with flow cytometry and relevant functional assays is required and prior experience with retroviral transduction of T cells is desirable. Evidence of contribution to peer reviewed papers is desirable but not essential.

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 nursery 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. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/