Research Assistant/Associate in Cancer Early Detection and GeneticsUniversity
Research Assistant £33,951 to £35,608 per annum (pro rata)
Research Associate £36,636 per annum (pro rata)
The Role
We are seeking a Research Assistant/Associate to deliver world-leading research in early cancer detection using liquid biopsies, working within the Newcastle University Translational & Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences.
The research is led from the Cancer Prevention Research Group, Principal Investigators Professor Sir John Burn & Dr Richard Gallon, based at the International Centre for Life, is part of a European collaboration working with institutions across 16 countries. John & Richard have over a decade of experience developing, translating into practice, commercialising assays for cancer diagnostics & won the Cancer Research Horizons Translational Project of the Year Recognition Award 2025 in recognition of their real-world impact. John led the CaPP clinical trials demonstrating the benefit of daily aspirin on cancer risk. John & Richard have a global network & sit on the boards of several national / international expert bodies shaping healthcare research & guidelines.
The research will assess novel liquid biopsy tests for the early detection of cancer in people with Lynch syndrome, working within the Predi-Lynch collaboration (https://predi-lynch.eu/). Predi-Lynch is funded by the European Commission Horizon Europe Mission on Cancer, with a total budget of 13.6 million Euro. Samples, including urine & vaginal swabs, will be collected from clinical trial participants across Europe & the UK & sent to Newcastle University for analysis using the Newcastle MSI-Plus Assay to screen for urothelial & endometrial cancer (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41138669/). Ultimately, results from Predi-Lynch will inform cancer surveillance strategies for Lynch syndrome, improving patient outcomes & benefitting healthcare services. The role will be to deliver Newcastle’s part in the Predi-Lynch collaboration, including laboratory-bench & computational work, as well as sample & data management & reporting back to collaborators.
We are looking for a researcher with a background in cancer genetics research who has prior experience with development &/or use of diagnostic assays. Expert knowledge of Lynch syndrome & microsatellite instability are desirable. Essential skills include expertise with molecular biology & a strong foundation in the use of bioinformatics. The candidate will need to have the highest level of rigor in the laboratory & when handling data as assay results will affect the care of trial participants. Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training will be needed & prior work to GCP standards is desirable. Adept verbal & written communication skills are essential.
The role will begin autumn 2026 & will be part time at 90% full-time equivalent for 4 years. Attendance on-site is essential for laboratory-based work though some degree of flexible working can be negotiated. Availability to attend international conferences & meetings of the Predi-Lynch consortium once or more each year is needed.
We follow the Researcher Development Concordat: Researcher Development | Our Research | Newcastle University. We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving research culture & vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual & their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development & research activities, peer review support for the development of research & innovation funding applications’.
To apply, please provide a cover letter and CV. We anticipate interviews will be held in late September 2026.
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/
Find out more about our Research Institutes: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/translational/
Contacts for the post are Professor Sir John Burn ([email protected]) & Dr Richard Gallon ([email protected]).
£33,951 to £36,636 per annum (pro rata). See advert text for details.