The Early Cancer Institute, within the Department of Oncology at the University of Cambridge, is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to support a programme of work investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive progression from Barrett's oesophagus to dysplasia and early oesophageal adenocarcinoma led by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald and Assistant Professor Dr John Lizhe Zhuang. The role will focus on establishing, expanding and characterising patient-derived organoid models from endoscopic and surgical tissue samples, including Barrett's oesophagus, high-grade dysplasia and early cancer. These models will be used to study the causality of Barrett's progression, with particular emphasis on cancer genomics, epithelial cell states and lineages, stromal interactions and progression-associated cancer risk.
The post holder will actively contribute to the development of functional organoid and assembloid models that allow disease mechanisms to be tested experimentally. This will include organoid culture, fibroblast co-culture, preparation of samples for single-cell RNA sequencing, and preliminary analysis of single-cell datasets. It may also extend to genetic engineering, CRISPR-based perturbation experiments. The ideal candidate will be a motivated and organised team player with excellent experience in organoid culture, single-cell RNA-seq analysis and complex functional models. They will work closely with scientists, clinicians, research nurses, bioinformaticians, core facility staff and other members of the research team. The role will also involve maintaining accurate records of patient samples, organoid lines, experimental conditions, sequencing libraries and associated metadata. The post holder will help manage sample inventories, maintain links between tissue samples, organoid cultures, sequencing datasets and clinical annotation, and ensure that work is conducted in accordance with ethical approvals, data governance requirements and laboratory safety procedures.
General laboratory responsibilities will include maintaining tissue-culture stocks, preparing media and reagents, ordering consumables, updating protocols, supporting equipment use and booking, contributing to lab meetings, and helping to ensure the smooth and safe running of shared laboratory activities.
This is a fixed-term position for one year, based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and the post holder will be responsible to Assistant Professor Dr John Lizhe Zhuang. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to complete the relevant pre-employment checks, including right-to-work checks, references, qualification checks where applicable, and a work health declaration.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2027 in the first instance.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment. This appointment also requires a Research Passport application.
Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.
Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.
The closing date for applications is 06 September 2026.
The interview date for the role is to be confirmed.
Please quote reference RD50817 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
