The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. Under the leadership of our Chief Executive, Professor Paul Workman FRS, the ICR is ranked as the UK’s leading academic research centre. Together with our partner The Royal Marsden, we are rated in the top four cancer centres globally.
The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at the ICR is the first centre in the UK entirely devoted to breast cancer research and its goal is to advance research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Formerly known as The Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, it is located in state-of-the-art laboratory space, with excellent core facilities and funding. The ICR is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best minds in the world to join us in our mission – to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.
The Cell Death and Inflammation Team, led by Professor Pascal Meier, is focussing on the complex relationship between cell death and mitosis, and how this can be exploited to prevent tumour relapse and stimulate long-lasting immunological protection.
Cell death and mitosis are ancient processes of fundamental biological importance in both normal physiology and cancer. The recent observation that apoptosis regulatory components have dual roles in cell death and chromosome segregation suggests that these proteins are activated, not just to kill, but to maintain genetic integrity, and replace genetically unstable cells, thus enhancing the resilience of epithelia to insult. This perspective unifies cell death components as positive regulators of chromosome stability and tissue homeostasis.
We are seeking Postdoctoral Training Fellows (x2) to investigate how cell death regulatory proteins actively promote faithful chromosome alignment during mitosis, and how they are activated to lethal levels when cells exhibit defects in mitosis progression. We also aim to identify strategies that trigger immunogenic cell death to overcome treatment resistance and provide new therapeutic opportunities in the field of immunotherapy.
You will use a series of state-of-the art biochemical, imaging and in vivo approaches to establish the physiological and pathological role of components of the cell death machinery (ripoptosome) in regulating mitosis. This project touches upon many different fields of cancer biology, which will give you the opportunity to learn about the latest approaches in genome editing and explore the relationship between cell death, mitosis, tumour heterogeneity and immunology.
You will have the opportunity to interact within a multidisciplinary environment of molecular biologists, clinicians, computer scientists and a network of collaborators who will assist with imaging capabilities, in vivo models for lung cancer, pharmacological lung cancer and biomarker studies, immunotherapy, and mass spectrometry.
You should possess a PhD in a biological science such as genetics, cell biology or biochemistry. Experience in mitosis and/or genome instability is desirable. Experience with genetic engineering of mammalian cells or in vivo work is desirable.
Appointment will be on a Fixed Term Contract for 3 years. The full salary scale for the post is in the range from £30,410 to £43,463 p.a. inclusive. Starting salary will be based on postdoctoral experience.
Informal enquires can be made to Professor Pascal Meier at
[email protected]. Please do not send your application to Professor Pascal Meier, formal applications must be submitted online.
To apply please submit your CV and covering letter (addressing with specific examples where you meet the person specification and incl. the names and addresses of at least two referees) online.
