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 inflammation, and how this can be exploited to prevent tumour relapse and stimulate long-lasting immunological protection.
Improving treatment outcome requires understanding the basic mechanisms by which anti-cancer agents kill tumour cells, and how we can further improve their efficacy to prevent tumour relapse.
The success of future anti-cancer therapies will require efficient stimulation of host immune responses. Notably, dying cells initiate adaptive immunity by providing both antigens and inflammatory stimuli for dendritic cells, which in turn activate CD8+ T cells via antigen cross-priming. Certain types of cell death (necroptosis) are especially immunogenic and elicit robust cross priming. Accordingly, necroptotic signalling in dying cells orchestrates adaptive immunity and can provide long-term tumour surveillance. Thus, investigating and targeting of proteins at the crossroad of cell death and host defence pathways, such as RIPK1, caspase-8 and IAPs, will provide new therapeutic opportunities in the field of immunotherapy.
A Postdoctoral Training Fellow position is available to investigate the regulation of immunogenic cell death in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The aim of this project is to exploit the complex relationship between cell death and immunology, and harness this to stimulate long-lasting immunological protection and prevent tumour relapse and overcome tumour resistance.
The successful candidate will use a series of patient-derived, three-dimensional (3D) tumour organoid (PDOs) models for the assessment of rational-based treatment combinations. In addition to homotypic PDO cultures, he/she will also use 3D heterotypic PDO models composed of tumour cells and immune cells. This will allow the candidate to explore whether the treatment combination triggers immunogenic cell death, and causes immune cell infiltration, activation, and cytotoxicity.
You will have the opportunity to interact within a multidisciplinary environment of molecular biologists, clinicians, computer scientists and a network of international collaborators.
You should possess a PhD in a biological science such cell biology. Experience with 3D organoid culturing is essential. Experience with genetic engineering of mammalian cells 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 previous 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.
