Postdoctoral Fellow

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

About the Role:

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow under the leadership of Dr Peter Campbell (Wellcome Sanger Institute), closely working with Sam Janes (University College London) as part of a CRUK funded research project for a 3 year fixed term contract.

You will be responsible for:

In this project, you will perform histology associated task, including haematoxylin & eosin staining, laser-capture microdissection (LCM) as well as all the sample curation and library preparation of samples as described previously (Ellis et al., 2021, Nature Protocols). In addition, further experimental procedures including DNA/RNA extraction and other assays might be required. This work will rely on existing cohorts and clinical studies for which Prof Janes is clinical investigator. As such, close collaboration with his lab at University College London will be necessary and crucial. Depending on the nature of the project and your strengths, high-throughput sequencing methodologies including whole-genome (WGS), RNA or enzymatic methylation sequencing (EMseq) will be a primary focus of your work. Furthermore, generation of single-cell sequencing data including single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) as well as spatial genomics and transcriptomics methods (BaSiSS; 10X VISIUM) will be within your responsibilities. Importantly, you will be expected to support the analysis of the sequencing data by learning and employing established bioinformatic workflows. Overall, you work will aim at understanding the role and consequence of somatic mutations on the phenotype of cells residing within the proximal airway and their relevance for disease.

About the Project/Us:

This project is embedded into a Cancer Research UK funded grant, titled “Reinterpreting the ‘field of injury’ through understanding cellular level damage and dynamics and consequences for the Prediction, Prevention and Early Detection of lung cancer: ELIMINATE” awarded together with Prof Sam Janes at the University College London. The grant proposal builds up on the work implemented in collaboration between the Janes’ and Campbell groups, focusing on the earliest stages of lung cancer development, particularly in healthy tissues. In particular, the overarching project focuses on the revision of the concept of the “field of injury”. Previous work published in Nature (Yoshida, Gowers et al., 2020, Nature) has shown that epithelial cells in the proximal airway of individuals with smoking history (ex-smokers) can resist the accumulation of tobacco smoke-induced mutations, mirroring cellular populations observed in never-smokers. This exciting observation gives rise to a vision in which a deeper understanding of the homeostasis of the epithelial field could enable more accurate early detection of those at highest risk. In addition, this could facilitate the design of therapies that manipulate the clonal dynamics to enhance the outgrowth of cells with near normal mutation burden, thereby acting cancer protective.

About You:

You will have a PhD in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or in a related field. You will be passionate about science, hardworking, and excited to learn and improve skills in an outstanding research environment. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team and will be tasked with proactively seeking and maintaining appropriate collaborations. You will also be expected to drive forward the project, working closely together with biologists, clinicians and bioinformaticians within Peter’s and Sam’s groups as well as outside the group to accomplish scientific objectives.

Essential Skills:

• A PhD in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or in a related field and a passion for problem solving

• Experience in a research environment with a good publication track record

• Formal and extensive training in either laboratory methodologies or statistical analysis of complex data sets

• The ability to effectively communicate with collaborators and occasionally present oral communication to large groups

• Proven independent working style, technical problem solving, data analysis and generation of novel ideas

• Team player with the ability to work with others in a collegiate and collaborative environment

• Ability to effectively prioritise, multi-task and work independently

• Demonstrates inclusivity and respect for all

• Highly organised

Application Process:

Please apply with your CV and a Cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria set out above.

Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis and the role will close when a successful appointment has been made.

Working at Wellcome Sanger

Our flexible-hybrid working environment means you can focus on being productive and part of the team while enjoying the benefits of working remotely and from the Genome Campus when you are in the office.

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.