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SalaryAbout us
This is a post within the Myeloma group in the department of Haematology in the Cancer Institute at UCL. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells that affects older people, and current treatments are not curative. The Myeloma research group seeks to understand how myeloma develops and how tumour cells interact with the immune environment to influence malignant transformation and response to therapy, including several immunotherapy agents. We use both primary myeloma (tumour) cells and immortalised cell lines for our work. Myeloma invariably starts as a premalignant condition called smouldering myeloma, in which about 50% of people develop myeloma over the first 5 years after diagnosis. A major research focus in our lab is to understand the biology and immunology of smouldering myeloma. We run a national clinical observational study for patients with smouldering myeloma (COSMOS). We receive and analyse patient bone marrow and blood cells from the COSMOS study to investigate tumour biology and immune function. We also receive samples from a parallel study in newly diagnosed myeloma, called RADAR. This gives us a unique opportunity to compare the two conditions, with respect to tumour biology, and the immune microenvironment.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a talented science graduate to work within the UCL Myeloma research group of scientists and clinicians at who are engaged in a mixture of laboratory based and clinical research projects: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/research/department-haematology/multiple-myeloma-lab
The post-holder will work within the Smouldering Myeloma group, to undertake laboratory work associated with the COSMOS trial. COSMOS is an observational study for persons with smouldering myeloma. Smouldering myeloma is a pre-cancerous condition and around 50% of individuals will develop the cancer, multiple myeloma.
Our work seeks to understand the genomic and immunological changes that are associated with an increased risk of developing myeloma, and to design therapies and trials to prevent malignant transformation.
The post-holder will work with blood and bone marrow samples from patients on COSMOS, and undertake a project to investigate the function of natural killer (NK) cells in this disease. You will work under the supervision of Professor Yong, Dr Rees and Dr Lee, and closely with the COSMOS trial coordinator and other scientists in the smouldering myeloma group to design experiments and generate data for presentation and publication.
You will use new high dimensional flow panels to profile immune phenotype, undertake functional assays, bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, working alongside other scientists in the group.
You will be encouraged and supported to develop your own project, as well as contributing to other projects in the myeloma group.
This post is funded for 2 years in the first instance, with a 6-month probationary period. Key Requirements
About you
Successful candidates must have a BSc (1 or 2i) in biomedical sciences or related subject and some laboratory experience in molecular and cell biology. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work to deadlines are essential and experience of flow cytometry or similar immuno-labelling techniques is desirable. Higher research training, experience or relevant degree (eg. MSc or equivalent) with laboratory experience is desirable.
Successful candidates will be highly motivated, able to work in a team, to drive a project and to work independently. The candidate should also possess excellent oral and written communication skills including spelling, punctuation and grammar and attention to detail.
For enquiries regarding the application process please contact Cancer Institute HR Office ci.hr-office@ucl.ac.uk
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
