Research Assistant/Associate - Breast Cancer Prevention and Vaccine Development (Fixed Term)
A Research Associate or Assistant position is available in the group of Professor Walid T. Khaled at the Department of Pharmacology and Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge.
This position is part of PreBRCATx, a major new project funded by the European Research Council (ERC), focused on developing therapeutic interventions to prevent hereditary breast cancer. Building on the Khaled Lab's expertise in tumour initiation and early transformation, this project aims to intercept breast cancer before it starts, with a particular focus on individuals carrying high-risk mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2.
Through advanced single cell genomics, in vivo modelling, and immune profiling, the team will study early molecular and cellular changes that occur in high-risk breast tissue. The team will test the ability of known and near-clinical drugs to reverse or block these changes and ultimately aims to develop a preventive breast cancer vaccine for individuals with inherited predisposition.
This role offers a rare opportunity to contribute to cancer interception science at the frontier of personalised prevention, with strong translational potential.
We are seeking a talented and motivated Research Associate (Postdoctoral Scientist) or Research Assistant to contribute to core aspects of the project, including: Development and preclinical testing of vaccine-based prevention strategies; Immune monitoring and profiling of breast tissue and systemic responses; Use of mouse models to study early tumour initiation; Application of single cell and spatial transcriptomics, lineage tracing, and multiomics to understand immune microenvironmental interactions; Integration and interpretation of complex datasets in collaboration with computational scientists
You will be expected to take a lead in experimental design, data generation and analysis, and scientific communication.
We welcome applicants with a background in any of the following areas: Cancer immunology or vaccine development; Single cell genomics or spatial profiling; Mouse genetics and in vivo experimentation; Lineage tracing, clonal dynamics, or immune repertoire studies
Candidates should hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in a relevant field such as cancer biology, immunology, or genomics. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. Experience working with genetically engineered mouse models is desirable. Applicants are expected to have demonstrable experience through peer reviewed publications or preprints.
The salary range if appointed as a Research Associate is £37,174 - £45,413 pa and as a Research Assistant is £32,546 - £35,116 with promotion to Research Associate on attainment of PhD.
Fixed term: The funds for this post are available for three years in the first instance, subject to probation and review.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Professor Walid T. Khaled (wtk22@cam.ac.uk).
Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please include contact details for two referees, including your most recent line manager.
Please quote reference PL46573 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
HR Co-ordinator
The Department of Pharmacology, part of the School of Biological Sciences, is seeking to appoint a HR Coordinator to join the Professional Services team. Reporting to the Departmental Administrator (DA), this role coordinates a comprehensive HR and payroll support service for all staff, managing and leading on all day-to-day local HR functions, with the assistance of the HR Administrator which the post holder will line manage.
As the HR Coordinator, you will be providing clear and accurate advice to staff and managers on HR policy and employment relations issues such as staff welfare, disciplinary/grievance and terms and conditions of employment (e.g. holiday entitlement, pay scales). You will be working closely with the DA and will be expected to provide guidance and advice to the DA and Head of Department (HoD) regarding University wide policies, as well as implementing this guidance into the Department. You will oversee all recruitment process, from writing job adverts and setting up interviews, all the way through to offer and onboarding new staff members. In fact, this role has oversight on the entire employee lifecycle, from induction, to training and development, all the way through to completing leaver processes.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills, and a positive, service-oriented, can-do attitude. They will be able to work both independently and in a team, with a pro-active approach to troubleshooting and problem solving. Attention to detail, a high level of accuracy and effective time management are essential. Candidates must be educated to degree level/Level 6 vocational qualification or equivalent level of practical experience. CIPD certification is beneficial but not essential. The role requires the post holder to be confident MS Office user, especially OneDrive, Outlook, Word and Excel. Previous experience in University HR systems (CHRIS, RAS, Web Recruitment, CCWS) and well as good working knowledge of University HR policies is desirable. This role has line management responsibility for the HR Administrator; line management experience is desirable but not essential.
Interviews are expected to take place on 18th July 2025.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Emma King, Departmental Administrator (da@phar.cam.ac.uk).
For queries about the application process, please contact the HR team (hr@phar.cam.ac.uk).
Please quote reference PL46278 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
Teaching Associate (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a Teaching Associate to be appointed to a joint post in the Department of Biochemistry and Department of Pharmacology. The post is available for 2 years, with view of starting from September 2025.
The role holder will be based in Central Cambridge and work will be working across both departments within the School of Biological Sciences that are closely associated with the Gurdon Institute, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, MRC Toxicology Unit and provide many opportunities for interactions with the broader Cambridge community.
The role focuses primarily on delivery of teaching and examining but will also be involved in course development. For example, the Teaching Associate will be expected to plan, prepare and deliver lectures, seminars and practical classes, as well as contribute to curriculum design. The post holder will also set and mark examination papers and coursework, as well as writing essay feedback and thesis reports. The Teaching Associate will be expected to participate in relevant meetings and committees.
With this in mind, it is essential that applicants are able to demonstrate experience of successfully developing and delivering teaching at University level, such as lectures and seminars, practical classes, or smaller group work. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required to explain concepts and complex information to non-experts, develop and encourage the commitment to learn in others and to present material to a range of audiences. The role holder may also need to provide pastoral assistance to students although more in-depth issues would be referred to College Tutors in the first instance. Candidates should hold a PhD in a related area, or equivalent demonstrable experience and/or a teaching qualification as appropriate.
Interviews are expected to take place in July 2025.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Prospective candidates are invited to contact the Acting Head of Department of Pharmacology, Professor Ewan St. John Smith, for informal enquires: hod@phar.cam.ac.uk.
Please ensure that in the "upload section" of the online application you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter explaining your professional experience and fit for the role. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.
If you have any questions the application process, please contact our HR team (hr@phar.cam.ac.uk).
Please quote reference PL45735 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
Academic Course Coordinator (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for an Academic Course Coordinator for the Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences (CATS).
The role of Academic Course Coordinator focuses on planning, developing, delivering and managing elements in all aspects of a course of study for the MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences (MTS) programme in order to support the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence whilst ensuring the day-to-day operations of the program run smoothly and effectively. The Academic Course Coordinator will work closely with the MTS Director, Department of Pharmacology, Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences (CATS), Faculty of Biology, School of Biological Sciences Postgraduate Office and relevant stakeholders to oversee the academic structure, content development, and delivery of the MTS course. This role will also be responsible for creating and maintaining links with industry partners and overseeing the industrial placements, including all regulatory requirements, as required.
The successful applicant will be educated to degree level in a relevant specialist subject area. A PhD will be desirable, or significant relevant post-degree experience. Experience of managing education and/or co-ordinating training programmes in a University setting or in industry is highly desired. Furthermore, evidence of knowledge of the latest business and academic trends across therapeutic sciences and its needs and drivers in relation to education, skills and talent development is essential. The ability to explain concepts to non-experts, to develop and encourage the commitment to learn in others, and to present materials to a range of audiences will also be required, along with providing pastoral care to students, and developing positive relationships with both internal and external contacts.
The post is fixed term for 3 years.
Interviews will take place in July 2025.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Further details can be found in the Further Particulars document.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Professor Graham Ladds¿Co-Director of Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences (grl30@cam.ac.uk).
If you have any questions the application process, please contact our HR team (hr@phar.cam.ac.uk).
Please quote reference PL45867 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the laboratory of Dr Taufiq Rahman (https://www.phar.cam.ac.uk/research/rahman) at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge.
The project is an international collaborative one and multidisciplinary aiming to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) of few approved drugs that manifest potent antihypertensive effect through reducing arterial smooth muscle contractility and thus can be potentially repurposed for hypertension. We have already identified a target protein for these drugs. Therefore, the main aim for the project is to biophysically (through SPR/ITC), computationally (through MD simulation) and structurally (through solving crystal structure of the protein with drug bound) characterise the ligand-protein interaction.
The candidate should have proven experience in the design and execution of workflow for structure determination of proteins, from molecular biology/biochemical experiments (e.g. DNA cloning and mutagenesis, protein purification) through to structural data collection, processing and model building is essential. Some experience in biophysical assays such as SPR/ITC is highly desirable. Experience in running MD simulation will clearly be an added advantage but not essential. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team, coupled with excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills are required. Other duties/responsibilities include developing/driving research objectives, writing up work for presentation/publication purposes, and assisting in supervising undergraduate/postgraduate student research projects.
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain shortly, a PhD in structural biology Biophysics, Biochemistry or any related discipline. Successful candidates who have not been awarded their PhD by the appointment date will be appointed as a Research Assistant at Grade 5 (£32,546 - £35,116). Upon the award of the PhD the individual will be promoted to Research Associate, Grade 7 (£37,174 - £45,413).
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available from 15th June 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, for 12 months in the first instance with the possibility of renewal for 3 more subsequent years.
The Department holds an Athena SWAN bronze award, demonstrating a commitment to provide equal opportunities and particularly welcomes application from women, black and minority ethnic candidates. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
The online application is to include your personal details, names and addresses of referees, as well as your CV, research publications list and cover letter outlining your interest in the project.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries about the position can be made to Dr Taufiq Rahman (mtur2@cam.ac.uk)
For enquiries about the online application process, please contact the HR Team, hr@phar.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PL45787 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.
