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.

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