Oestrogen Receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most prevalent type of breast cancer. Despite the availability of hormonal therapies for patients, this type of cancer frequently recurs and metastasises, ultimately killing patients. There is an unmet clinical need to identify new drugs that can be used when patients relapse with hormone therapy-resistant disease.
A Postdoctoral Training Fellow position is available to drive forward high-level research on the functional evaluation and targeting of secreted proteases involved in extracellular matrix remodeling in ER+ breast cancer. The successful candidate will develop cellular assays to screen for and test inhibitors, use novel in vivo and ex vivo patient-derived models of ER+ disease to validate candidates and to discover predictive biomarkers.
The Endocrine Control Mechanisms laboratory headed by Prof. Cathrin Brisken focuses on the mechanisms of hormone action in breast development and breast carcinogenesis (Cagnet et al. Nature Comm 2018). Research on ER+ breast cancer has been hampered by the lack of adequate in vivo models for the disease. We have overcome this hurdle and shown that grafting into the correct microenvironment is critical for ER+ tumor cells to retain their biological characteristics [Sflomos et al Cancer Cell 2016, Fiche et al J Pathol 2018] opening new opportunities for translational and basic research. The candidate will benefit from close interactions with the other teams within the Centre (
https://www.icr.ac.uk/our-research/research-divisions/division-of-breast-cancer-research) and the ICR.
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You must possess a PhD in biology, biochemistry, genetics or other associated subjects and have a strong track record in biomedical research. Experience in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry including high-throughput functional genomic screens, single cell sequencing approaches as well as working with in vitro and in vivo cancer models is highly desirable.
The post will be based in the Endocrine Control Mechanisms group, under the supervision of Prof. Cathrin Brisken. The post-holder will closely interact with other researchers within the group as well as scientists in other ICR Research Groups.
The appointment will be on a Fixed Term Contract commencing from October 2020 for three years. The starting salary will be in the range of £32,200* - £40,900 with the full salary scale up to £44,337 p.a. inclusive. Starting salary will be based on postdoctoral experience.
*£32,200 p.a. inclusive for thesis submitted, awaiting PhD award.
Informal enquiries can be made via email to Prof. Cathrin Brisken (
[email protected]). Please note – this address is for enquiries only and you should not send your application to this email address.
To apply please submit online application on the ICR Careers site, attaching your CV with the supporting statement (addressing with specific examples where you meet the person specification, a brief description of your research experience and incl. the names and addresses of at least two referees). Job ref 1032
Due to COVID19, we have delayed the start date from August to October 2020 for this post and extended the application time.