We are looking for an enthusiastic full-time Research Assistant to join an exciting new research project led by Dr Simon Richardson at the University of Cambridge Department of Haematology and Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Funded by a Leukaemia UK John Goldman Fellowship and Cancer Research UK, we take a multi-disciplinary approach to identify novel treatment combinations in B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This is the commonest cancer in children. While it is treatable with chemotherapy in the majority of cases, patients who relapse or have certain genetic drivers have a very low survival rate and outcomes in adult patients remain very poor. Our research is seeking to understand how mutations in epigenetic regulators generate this cancer and produce drug resistance and use that knowledge to identify potential therapies for the most resistant cases. You will be using cutting edge functional genomics screening and single cell PerturbSeq to identify novel drug combinations with activity across different genetic subtypes of B-ALL and test these combinations in pre-clinical models.

Dr Richardson will lead the project as part of the research group of Professor Brian Huntly. The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the Huntly group and benefit from being part of this highly skilled and experienced team. Professor Huntly’s laboratory has an international reputation for the study of epigenetic regulators in leukaemia and is based in the University of Cambridge’s state of the art £94m flagship Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre.

The postholder will be involved in all areas of the project and will perform a wide variety of experimental and preparatory work. Typical tasks will include preparation of Next Generation Sequencing libraries, cell sorting, cell culture and drug screening, processing mouse material, transplantation and functional validation experiments. The postholder will also have responsibility for ordering laboratory supplies and other organisational tasks.

The successful candidate must hold a degree in a relevant subject and have research laboratory experience. Experience of processing mouse material, flow cytometry, Next Generation Sequencing, single cell (10X) approaches, tissue culture, drug screening, CRISPR-Cas9, transplantation and functional validation would all be highly advantageous. The ability to work independently and as part of a team, strong communication, organisational and problem solving skills are essential.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be addressed to Dr Simon Richardson at .

Fixed term: The funds for this post are available until 30th September 2024 in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Closing date: 2nd October 2022.

Interview date: Week commencing 10th October 2022.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.