Postdoctoral Researcher in Mulitomic Predictors of Chemoradiotherapy Response in Rectal Cancer

University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences

Grade 7RS.1: £39,424 per annum (including the Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per annum – pro rata for part-time)

Location: Old Road Campus Research Building

Contract type: Fixed term until June 2027

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic post-doctoral scientist to work on a new international collaborative project between the University of Oxford (Simon Buczacki), University of Copenhagen (Ana Cvejic) and the Wellcome Sanger Institute (Dave Adams) funded by Open Targets (https://www.opentargets.org). This translational project seeks to explore the response of rectal cancer to chemo-radiation with a particular focus on tumour immunity. The project will involve the collection and processing of primary human tumour tissue (Oxford) for bulk/single cell multiomics and spatial transcriptomics (Sanger/Copenhagen). Subsequent validation and exploration of targets will be performed using organoid biology (Oxford). You will work primarily within the Tumour Evolution and Cell Identity (Buczacki) Laboratory housed in the Old Road Campus Research Building. Your work will also encompass patient-facing interactions (such as consent and tissue acquisition) in the John Radcliffe Hospital and Churchill Hospital (Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust).

The work carried out will involve patient identification/tracking, liaising with clinicians, tissue acquisition, processing and shipping for multiomic and spatial transcriptomic analysis. Validation of targets identified will be performed using bespoke organoid biology approaches on primary tumour and genetically engineered organoids. This collaborative project will involve regular meetings with academic collaborators in Cambridge and Copenhagen as well as commercial partners to discuss project progress and data.

About you

You should be educated to doctoral level or equivalent and ideally have some previous experience with primary tissue handling/processing. You should be comfortable and competent in a laboratory environment. Experience with tissue culture, RNA/DNA and protein quantification are essential. No previous experience with organoids/gene engineering is required. You should be highly organised with meticulous attention to detail in documentation, SOPs, risk assessments, ethics and human tissue authority requirements. All necessary training will be provided and you will be directly supervised by Prof. Simon Buczacki.

This full-time post is available immediately until June 2027.

Application Process

If you would like to discuss this role or arrange a visit to the lab, please contact Prof. Simon Buczacki at simon.buczacki@nds.ox.ac.uk

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to upload a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria, curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application. Please quote reference NDSA971 on all correspondence.

Only applications received before noon Wednesday 3rd December 2025 can be considered.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 18th December 2025

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