Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate (Stem Cell / Cancer Biology)

Posting Start Date:

28/04/2025

Job Id:

1020

School/Department:

Biosciences

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,249.00 - 41,671.00

Closing Date:

27/05/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.


We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

We are seeking an independent and motivated postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a Cancer Research UK (CRUK)-funded project at the interface of stem cell biology and disease modelling. The successful applicant will employ lineage tracing approaches and isogenic human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines carrying genetic lesions associated with the paediatric cancer neuroblastoma to decipher how these disrupt embryonic development and promote tumour formation/influence response to chemotherapy. This project is a close collaboration with groups from London (The Institute of Cancer Research, KCL) and Vienna (St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, Medical University of Vienna)




Applicants must hold a PhD in a subject related to stem cell/developmental biology along with experience in culture and differentiation of hESCs toward neural crest cells alongside immunocytochemistry/imaging, flow cytometry and qPCR. Excellent interpersonal, written and communication skills, and be able to work to a high standard are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

Conduct personal research of international standing into the above-mentioned remit for the study. Moreover, the postholder needs to be able to identify literature and updating own knowledge, assessing the validity of the relevant literature and its contribution to the development of own field. Determine novel research objectives as experiments progress and initiate and implement relevant programme of research. Disseminate research findings/results through the production of papers for high quality journals and presentation either in-house or at national/international conferences or seminars. Efficiently manage time, materials, finance and equipment. Provide support to PI for research proposals and funding applications. Supervise or co-supervise undergraduate/postgraduate project students and/or PhD students. Delegate and monitor the work of research students. Deal with reactive requests relating to supervision of research staff and students. Participate in consortium meetings and seminars, in particular with collaborators Plan up to several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for collaboration meetings and conferences. As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.




Essential criteria




A PhD in an area related to stem cell/developmental biology (assessed at: application/interview) Experience with culture and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) toward neural crest cells (assessed at: application/interview) Experience in qPCR and immunostaining/imaging techniques (assessed at: application/interview) Experience in flow cytometry (assessed at: application/interview) Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations (assessed at: application/interview) Experience of working as part of a collaborative team and a willingness to supervise PhD and undergraduate students (assessed at: application/interview) Excellent record keeping and data management skills, with appropriate IT experience (assessed at: application/interview) Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications (assessed at: application/interview) Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities (assessed at: application/interview) Ability to keep up to date with ongoing research associated with current projects (assessed at: application/interview) Ability to work flexibly according to the biological demands of the experimental system and availability of equipment (assessed at: application/interview)





Desirable criteria


Experience in sequencing data analysis (assessed at: application/interview) Knowledge of neuroblastoma biology (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade:

7

Salary:

38,249 - 41,671 per annum

Work arrangement:

Full-time (100% FTE)

Duration:

Fixed term for a period of four years (available immediately)

Line manager:

Senior Lecturer/Research group leader

Direct reports:

None

Our website:

School of Biosciences and Tsakiridis Lab




For informal enquiries about this job contact: Anestis Tsakiridis on a.tsakiridi@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date following interview of shortlisted candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you are shortlisted for interview and need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more




We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.


Closing Date : 27/05/2025




We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.