Head of Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry (Core Facility Manager)

University of Cambridge - Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £63,606 to £67,468 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Placed On: 26th August 2025

Closes: 18th September 2025

Job Ref: SW47072

Join us at the world-leading CRUK Cambridge Institute. We're a unique department of the University of Cambridge, core funded by Cancer Research UK's charitable activities and we are seeking an exceptional individual to lead our Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry (MS) Core Facility; one of 11 state-of-the-art scientific Core Facilities at the heart of our research community.

About the Role

As Head of the Bioanalytical MS Core Facility, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to a team delivering mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic expertise. You will work closely with researchers across the Institute and wider academic and clinical networks offering a diverse range of analytical capabilities including:

• Quantification of therapeutic drugs and small molecules from a range of biological samples.
• Targeted metabolomics: quantification of cancer-relevant metabolites.
• Supporting drug candidate selection through discovery pharmacokinetics, dose optimisation and drug efficacy studies, working with colleagues in the Institute's Biological Resources Unit and Small Animal Hospital.
• Regulated bioanalysis, in accordance with MHRA guidelines for Good Clinical Practice for the Clinical Laboratory (GC(L)P), to measure drug concentrations and biomarkers in biological samples.

You will be joining the Institute at a pivotal moment, as we expand our spatial technology portfolio with the acquisition of a cutting-edge MS Imaging instrument, and associated newly extended MS instrument space. You will oversee the establishment of this new platform and the development of approaches to determine the spatial distribution of molecules within tissue, opening powerful new avenues for exploring changes in the tumour microenvironment and deepening our understanding of cancer biology.

Looking ahead, the development of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH), adjacent to the Institute, presents exciting opportunities for growth in regulated bioanalysis. You will play a key role in shaping this future through engagement with the wider campus community.

What we're looking for

We're looking for a visionary leader with:

• A strong background in LCMS bioanalysis, pharmacokinetics, metabolomics or related fields.
• Proven experience in mass spectrometry and method development.
• Hands-on experience of managing a laboratory to a recognised quality system, ideally with knowledge of clinical studies and associated UK regulatory guidelines (incl. GCP, HTA).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• A commitment to service excellence, innovation, and team development.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) and a security check.

We particularly welcome applications from women and/or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department/institution/Faculty/School/University.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. 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 details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

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