Research Fellow at University of Birmingham
Job Description
Salary:
As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £34,980
Contract Type:
Fixed Term contract up to March 2025
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented individual to work as a Research Fellow in the Radiobiology Research Group led by Professor Jason Parsons. You will contribute to cutting-edge preclinical research to establish combinations of targeted DNA repair inhibitors with proton beam therapy (PBT) that are effective in the killing of models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Specifically, the project will use both patient-derived organoids but also chick embryo models of radioresistant HNSCC to establish their response to PBT using the MC-40 cyclotron. We will then explore the combinatorial effects of potent inhibitors of DNA double strand break repair proteins (collaboration with AstraZeneca) with PBT on organoid and tumour growth. Mechanistic analysis (e.g. gH2AX/53BP1 foci and comet assay analysis) will be performed to confirm the impact on supressing DNA damage repair.
Our goal is to use the knowledge gained to devise optimal strategies using drug-PBT combinations for effective radiosensitisation and therefore treatment of HNSCC. This is a continuation and expansion of the Group’s current research (Carter et al., 2018, IJROBP; Carter et al., 2019, IJROBP; Vitti and Parsons, 2020, Cancers; Nickson et al., 2021, Front Oncol; Zhou et al., 2022, Front Oncol).
Main Duties:
- To contribute to the development of radiobiology research in Professor Parsons’ Group
- Work closely and communicate effectively with other members of the team, and with colleagues in the School of Physics and Astronomy
- Take responsibility for taking key decisions regarding the project and planning future experiments.
- Acquire, analyse and interpret research data acquired using organoid and chick embryo models and apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
- Disseminate research findings for eventual publication, seminars, conferences, etc.
- Assist in the supervision of PhD, masters and undergraduate students on research related work.
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
Skills and Knowledge:
- PhD (or one near to completion) in radiation biology, cancer biology, molecular biology (or another relevant discipline)
- Evidence of playing a key role in a leading-edge scientific research project
- Substantial laboratory expertise using molecular and cellular biology techniques.
- Experience running diverse laboratory experiments.
- Evidence of prior research productivity
- Excellent project planning, organisational and time-management skills
- Excellent data acquisition, recording and scientific writing skills.
- Excellent communication skills, and in delivering oral presentations at national/international meetings.
Informal enquiries to Professor Jason Parsons J.Parsons.3@bham.ac.uk
To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.
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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working
