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Research Assistant/ Associate in Translational Cancer Research
Requisition ID: 29545
Location:
Newcastle, GB
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Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 9 Jul 2026
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Salary:
Research Assistant: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum
Research Associate: £36,636 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 26 July 2026
The Role
We are excited to launch a new opportunity for a Research Assistant or Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary translational cancer research team investigating therapeutic vulnerabilities in neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), with a focus on prostate cancer.
You will be based within the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer working with Dr Daniel Westaby and Dr Luke Gaughan and collaborating with colleagues at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London. The post sits within a translational programme linking laboratory discovery, medical oncology and biomarker-driven therapeutic development.
The project is funded through a pump-priming translational research programme funded by the JGW Patterson Foundation. It is focused on developing innovative therapeutic strategies that target the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. The expected impact is to generate pre-clinical evidence, biomarkers and mechanistic insight to support future early phase clinical trial development.
The role will involve establishing and characterising neuroendocrine-like cancer models, performing pharmacological drug-screening studies using apoptosis-targeting agents, and undertaking mechanistic assays to understand treatment response and resistance. You will work closely with clinicians, translational scientists and external collaborators, and will contribute to data analysis, presentations, publications and future grant proposals.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a strong interest in cancer biology and translational research, and experience in cancer cell line models, molecular and cellular biology, drug screening, gene perturbation approaches, cell viability/apoptosis assays and western blotting. You should be organised, collaborative and able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
This post is fixed term for 12 months, with potential for extension subject to funding. Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to
[email protected]. Flexible working arrangements may be considered where compatible with project delivery.
We follow the Researcher Development Concordat. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, and peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications.
We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you would like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact
[email protected]. We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support or adjustments to meet your needs.
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter should briefly address:
your relevant experience in cancer biology, molecular biology and/or apoptosis signalling
your experience using cancer cell line models and laboratory assays relevant to this project
your experience with drug screening, pharmacological studies or gene perturbation approaches
your ability to analyse data, solve problems and communicate research findings
how you would contribute to a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment
Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/
Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/
Key Accountabilities
Research Assistant
Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate
Research Associate
Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
Determine appropriate methodologies for research
Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
Project-specific accountabilities
Establish, maintain and characterise neuroendocrine-like cancer cell line models relevant to high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma and small cell/neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Design and perform pharmacological drug-screening studies using agents that target the intrinsic apoptosis pathway
Conduct mechanistic apoptosis studies including cell viability assays, caspase assays, western blotting and siRNA or related gene perturbation experiments
Analyse experimental datasets to interpret treatment response, resistance mechanisms and biomarker associations
Contribute to development of translational outputs, including presentations, manuscripts, grant proposals and future patient-derived or organoid model work
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Project-specific essential criteria
Strong background knowledge in cancer biology, molecular biology and apoptosis signalling
Experience working with cancer cell line models
Experience with drug screening or pharmacological studies
Experience with gene perturbation approaches, such as siRNA, CRISPR/Cas9 or related methods
Experience performing cell viability and/or apoptosis assays and western blotting
Research Assistant
Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
In addition for Research Associate
Awareness of the research environment
High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications
Desirable
Experience analysing large biological datasets or bioinformatic data
Attributes and Behaviour
Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
Commitment to continued professional development
Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity
Flexibility, self-motivation and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
Qualifications
Research Assistant
Honours degree in a relevant subject, such as cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, biomedical sciences or a related discipline; or close to submission of a relevant PhD
In addition for Research Associate
PhD awarded in a relevant subject, such as cancer biology, cell biology, cancer genetics, molecular biology or a related discipline
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 29545
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