"Postdoctoral Research Associate "

Grade and salary: Grade 7 £39,355 - £45,413 pa

Working hours: Full time

Tenure: Fixed term, this post is available until 30 June 2026 (with potential for extension)

Location: Sherrington Building, Liverpool campus

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine

Recruiting department contact: ecostell@liverpool.ac.uk

Job ref: 091753

The role

Role overview and University context:

A position has become available for a motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work as part of a Cancer Research UK-funded research programme, called United Kingdom Early Detection Initiative For Pancreatic Cancer (UK-EDI). This programme is focused on advancing earlier detection of pancreatic cancer. You will be situated within the Pancreas Cancer Research Group in the Department of Clinical Cancer Medicine.

Diseases of the pancreas, including pancreatic cancer, can cause a form of diabetes called type-3c diabetes. Although type-3c is distinct from type-2 diabetes, there is currently no routine clinical test that can distinguish the two forms. One in three people with pancreatic cancer develop type 3c diabetes in the three years before their cancer diagnosis. Their diabetes is mostly misdiagnosed as type-2, and the opportunity to detect pancreatic cancer early is missed.

Our team is working towards developing a test for type 3c diabetes. This test could involve blood protein measures but might also include clinical data or symptoms. Around 250,000 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes each year in the UK. Testing them for type-3c diabetes could select those individuals who would benefit most from screening for pancreatic cancer, providing earlier diagnosis that improves outcomes.

The UK-EDI programme contains seven work packages (Oldfield et al. BMJ Open 2022). Central to this program is the recruitment of individuals with new-onset diabetes, including follow-up for three years (the time period with the highest risk for pancreatic cancer diagnosis). So far, we have developed early detection biomarkers. Further development of these biomarkers is now a priority. Moreover, as the UK-EDI post-doctoral fellow, you would be invited to contribute widely to the programme, getting involved in multiple work packages depending on your expertise and interests, and would be supported to work as part of a focused team.

Key responsibilities and duties:

• Be responsible for gathering data and preparation of data and manuscripts for presentation and publication.

• Present data at group meetings, project meetings, conferences and at other meetings as appropriate.

• Adhere to the expected high standards of research integrity, data curation and recordkeeping (including online lab books, well-annotated experimental files, and correct data storage).

• Participation in the activities of the wider research group. Have a proactive role in training and supervising less experienced members of the group, including undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as required.

All staff within ISMIB are encouraged to contribute to wider Institute collegiality initiatives. For example:

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Efforts to promote a more inclusive and equitable environment.

• Sustainability: Initiatives supporting environmental sustainability and responsible practices.

• Public engagement, PPI, widening participation, or outreach: Activities aimed at engaging with the public, patients, diverse communities, and underrepresented groups.

• Volunteer work as a University Ambassador: Representation and advocacy for the institution in various capacities.

• Collegiality and support: Support provided to colleagues and/or students, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.

Additional requirements:

Bio hazards

You may be required to work with human blood samples. You will be working in an area where there may be a risk of infection, although appropriate measures will be in place to control the risk. You may be offered appropriate immunisations and/or records of your work with infectious material/infectious micro-organisms may be kept. Appointment will be subject to a risk assessment by the University’s Safety Advisor’s Office.

In addition to the above, all University of Liverpool staff are required to:

• Adhere to all University policies and procedures, completing all obligatory training and induction modules, including Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety.

• Respect confidentiality: all confidential information should be kept in confidence and not released to unauthorised persons.

• Participate in the University’s Professional Development Review scheme and take a proactive approach to own professional development.

• Demonstrate customer service excellence in dealing with all stakeholders.

• Embody and uphold the University’s Vision and Values.

About you

Experience

Essential

1. Evidence of playing a key role in a leading-edge research project in the field of clinical and molecular oncology, e.g. first or co-authorship in multidisciplinary or leading specialist journal, showcasing own data.
2. Strong background in molecular biology techniques (such as Western Blotting, PCR, qPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, microarrays).
3. Experience in handling and analysing clinical or pre-diagnostic patient samples.
4. Experience and understanding of health and safety issues within a laboratory environment.

Desirable

1. Experience and/or detailed knowledge of the analysis of protein PTMs (e.g. phosphopeptides).
2. Experience of multidisciplinary research teams.
3. Experience with cell culture techniques, including primary cell isolation and organoid models.
4. Experience and knowledge of statistical analysis and bioinformatics, computational biology, or clinical assay development.
5. Experience developing or implementing new experimental approaches.
6. Knowledge of UK-EDI research goals and the early detection research landscape.

Education, qualifications and training

Essential

1. PhD (or near completion) in cancer biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences or a related field.

Desirable

1. Experience with machine learning applications in biomarker discovery.
2. Experience with grant writing or securing research funding.

Skills, general and specialist knowledge

Essential

1. Good laboratory practice and skills.
2. Excellent skills in scientific writing and a history of delivering oral presentations at national/international meetings.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
4. Excellent time management and organisational skills.
5. Knowledge of quality control measures and best practices in experimental design.
6. Ability to generate high-quality visual representations of complex data for publications and presentations.

Desirable

1. Understanding of the importance of translational biology.
2. Experience in teaching, mentoring or supervising junior researchers or students.
3. Experience with public engagement or science communication in cancer research.

Personal attributes

Essential

1. Highly motivated with ability to work independently.
2. Consistent ability to produce high quality/quantity of work.
3. Dependable, reliable and self-motivated.
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
5. Able to work independently and willing to work in a team environment and contribute to the development and growth of the research team.
6. Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and reliability in data collection and analysis.

Desirable

1. Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
2. Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
3. Engagement in public outreach, demonstrating enthusiasm for science communication and community involvement.

About us

Established in 1881, we are an internationally renowned Russell Group university recognised for our high-quality teaching and research. We are consistently ranked as one of the best universities both nationally and globally, and the majority of our research is rated world leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us.

Why work here

We recognise, appreciate and celebrate the incredible work our staff do every day. As well as generous terms and conditions, we offer a range of enviable benefits and provide support for colleague’s wellbeing and development. Discover more about working here.

Moving from abroad

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Our staff

Whether it be their friendly colleagues, supportive managers or our outstanding facilities, our staff can explain better than anyone what it is like to work for us and why they enjoy their role. See what our colleagues have to say.

How to apply

Contacting us

Shortlisting and interview arrangements are the responsibility of the recruiting department. Please email: ecostell@liverpool.ac.uk

Application process

Our e-recruitment system enables you to