Histopathology Research Technician

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, the CRUK-UCL Centre provides essential infrastructure to support cancer research within UCL and is a major catalyst in the success of UCL in integrating translational and clinical cancer research with excellent basic science. Furthermore, the Institute offers educational programmes that reflect the depth and breadth of research expertise that include BSc Cancer Biomedicine, iBSc Oncology, MSc Cancer and PhD studies. Further Information about the UCL Cancer Institute can be found on our website https://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/

The main objective of the post-holder will be the development of cutting edge fluorescent multiplex immunostaining techniques using the PhenoImager HT platform (AKOYA, Biosciences) in usage at the Paul O’Gorman UCL Cancer Institute. The technology will be applied to address a range of biological questions using human and/or mouse FFPE tissues. Work will focus on: a) implement work on identification and characterization of novel diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers in cancers and to animal models and more important b) apply high number multi-marker spatial analyses of tissue microenvironment in haematological malignancies and solid tumours. This enables the progression of fundamental translational research methodologies that bridges the gap between academia, industry and the clinic, promoting collaboration across the fields. The post-holder will join a research team led by Prof. Teresa Marafioti and will be expected to carry out both scientific and administrative work associated with projects undertaken by the group. The post is primarily research orientated and focuses on implementation of large scale, high-throughput studies of protein markers expression in both murine and human, normal and neoplastic tissues. The scope of the project will also cover immune profiling of biomarkers for potential clinical trials samples in order to better develop our understanding of cancer disease biology and factors impacting treatment sensitivity and resistance. This will require extensive prior experiences in tissue sectioning, multiplexed immunostaining, bright and fluorescence microscopy, RNAscope, digital pathology and image analysis. The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the research group of Dr Cristina Lo Celso (Imperial College London, UK), other members of the group, collaborate with external/international research teams, as well as contributing to the organisation and smooth operation of the group. The post is funded by Cencer Research UK until 31st July 2024 (with the view of further extension, pending successful funding applications). The post is part time 0.5 FTE.

The successful candidate must have sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques in subject area and IHC/Immunofluorescence experience. Ability to contribute to method improvement where required and experience of working in a research environment are essential. Experience with digital pathology and image analyses, BSc and Masters in a biological or biomedical subject or equivalent experience are desirable but not essential.

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

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/