Post-doctoral Training Fellow, Gene Function team

he Gene Function Laboratory focuses upon identifying and understanding tumour specific dependencies, such as synthetic lethal effects, as a means to design novel approaches to treating cancer. We have made major advances in identifying synthetic lethal interactions involving, for example, PARP inhibitors (Farmer et al Nature (2005), Edwards et al Nature (2008), Bajrami et al, Cancer Research (2014)), ATR inhibitors (Williamson et al, Nature Communications (2016)) and ROS1 inhibitors (Bajrami et al, Cancer Discovery (2018)). Using this same concept, we have also systematically identified synthetic lethal interactions in breast cancer (Brough et al, Cancer Discovery (2011), Campbell et al, Cell Reports (2016)). We also use genetic approaches to understand the mechanisms of action of agents that target the DNA damage response (Pettitt et al; Krastev et al Nature Communications (2018)) We aim to generate pre-clinical information that can inform the design of clinical trials and the identification of novel targets for drug discovery programmes.

We are seeking a highly motivated PDTF to study synthetic lethal effects that operate in cancer, with the express aim of developing better ways to treat the disease.

Summary of Duties:

To design and perform a project aimed at understanding Synthetic Lethality in cancer and its therapeutic exploitation, using both standard molecular and cellular biology approaches as well as in silico studies.
To work under the supervision of the line manage and to consult where appropriate.
To take an interest in the relevant scientific literature.
To produce work suitable for high-quality, high-impact publications.
To maintain accurate records of experiments and reagent descriptions in laboratory notebooks
To prepare reports of results for oral and written presentations.
To keep up to date with the relevant literature.
To work in a flexible but organised manner.
To meet objectives within pre-determined timescales.
To familiarize yourself with the ICR’s approach towards risk management including its policies and procedures, which require all staff to play an active part in identifying and managing risk.
All staff must ensure that they familiarise themselves with and adhere to any ICR policies that are relevant to their work and that all personal and sensitive personal data is treated with the utmost confidentiality and in line with the General Data Protection Regulations.
Any other duties that may be required, which are consistent with the nature and grade of the post.