Overview:
Applications are invited for the post of Translational Research Technician to contribute to delivery of the transformational EPICGB Programme – Early Phase Interventions Centre for Translation in Glioblastoma, a Yorkshire Cancer Research funded, multi-centre, adaptive clinical trial platform. The position is based within Sheffield’s Translational Neuro-Oncology Research Group (STraNO) in the School of Medicine and Population Health, but will involve deep working partnerships with other EPICGB recruiting centres (including Leeds, Hull, Edinburgh, Manchester, Nottingham), the ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR -CTSU, London), University of Glasgow, patient advocates, and industrial, charitable and academic collaborators from around the UK and internationally.
EPICGB is an ambitious, large-scale research programme designed to accelerate access to life-extending therapies for patients with glioblastoma by establishing an adaptive, multi-cohort clinical trial platform integrating pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and clinical outcome data to prioritise treatments with the greatest likelihood of benefit. The programme brings together a network of NHS and academic partners across Yorkshire and the UK to deliver innovative window-of-opportunity (WOO) studies and translational analyses.
The EPICGB Translational Research Technician will support the co-ordination of tissue transfers, processing and biobanking of tissue samples for PK/PD analyses and broader translational research, and experimentally triage potential PD biomarkers to guide further analyses by industrial and academic partners. This exciting post combines development of unique tissue resources within EPICGB and leading patient-derived experimental models (Sheffield Living Biobank), with clinically-driven cell and tissue-based experimental work with the potential to impact trial delivery and benefit patients within rapid timeframes.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Coordinate and manage the acquisition, transfer, processing and biobanking of human tissue samples from EPICGB clinical sites, ensuring high-quality, standardised workflows (SOPs) across the network.
- Establish, maintain and quality-control clinically annotated biospecimen collections, supporting downstream pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and translational analyses.
- Develop, optimise and implement laboratory assays to assess pharmacodynamic biomarkers and drug effects in patient-derived tissues and models.
- Maintain and perform experimental studies using patient-derived cell and tissue models, including models from the Sheffield Living Biobank, to evaluate therapeutic response and support prioritisation of candidate drugs.
- Experimentally triage and validate candidate PD biomarkers, generating data to inform decision-making within the EPICGB adaptive trial platform.
- Maintain accurate, detailed and auditable experimental records, including sample tracking, metadata annotation, and integration with clinical datasets where appropriate.
- Work collaboratively across a multi-centre network, liaising with clinical teams, ICR-CTSU, academic partners, and industry collaborators to ensure efficient sample and data flow.
- Contribute to the integration of laboratory findings with clinical trial data, supporting iterative learning between preclinical and clinical components of EPICGB.
- Prepare regular reports and present findings at group meetings and collaborative forums, contributing to programme-wide discussions and decision-making.
- Support the preparation of scientific outputs, including abstracts, reports and manuscripts, as part of a collaborative translational research programme.
- Contribute to the training and supervision of students and junior researchers, particularly in sample maintenance, laboratory techniques and best practices in translational research.
- Maintain compliance with relevant regulatory, ethical and biosafety standards, including human tissue governance and data management requirements.
- Undertake additional duties commensurate with the grade and evolving needs of the EPICGB programme.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Strong practical experience in mammalian cell culture and handling of human tissue samples, including aseptic technique and basic molecular/cellular laboratory methods (e.g. immunostaining, protein/RNA analysis, viability assays).
Experience of working with human biospecimens or biobanking workflows (e.g. tissue processing, storage, tracking, or annotation).
Experience of performing laboratory experiments, with the ability to accurately record, manage and interpret experimental data.
Ability to contribute to optimisation and troubleshooting of experimental protocols (e.g. assay development, adapting workflows).
Knowledge of good laboratory practice, biosafety, and relevant regulatory/ethical frameworks (e.g. Human Tissue Act or equivalent).
Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple samples, datasets and deadlines with high attention to detail.
Ability to maintain accurate, auditable laboratory records and sample tracking systems.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
Degree in a relevant biological science (or equivalent experience).
Appropriate IT skills, including Microsoft Office suite and GraphPad Prism (or equivalent).
Experience with advanced patient-derived models (e.g. organoids, tissue slice culture or other ex vivo systems) and/or pharmacodynamic/biomarker assays (e.g. immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence).
Experience with advanced molecular techniques (e.g. lentiviral transfection, CRISPR-cas9) and/or omics (e.g. spatial proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, single cell/nucleus sequencing).
Further Information
1st June 2026 for 60 months
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicine/department-neuroscience/ola-rominiyi
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place shortly after the advert closes. This will consist of a short presentation highlighting previous experience in line with the Person Specification followed by a panel interview with an opportunity to see our facilities, meet with other team members and ask questions. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week following the advert closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [email protected].
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Criminal record
An enhanced check with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
