4-year CRUK funded PhD Studentship in Molecular Cancer Biology.
A 4-year Cancer Research UK funded PhD studentship is available at the MRC
Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London. The successful
candidate will carry out a project in the de Bruin lab to understand the role of E2F
activity in oncogene-induced replication stress. The overall aim is to exploit cancers
addiction to deregulated E2F activity to fight this terrible disease. Details of our
research may be found online at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lmcb/research-group/rob-debruin-research-group.
A career in cancer research.
Cancer Research UK is committed to providing excellent support and development
opportunities for their PhD students. This includes hosting informative meetings and
workshops, providing key networking opportunities, creating the links for further CRUK
funding opportunities, and developing our students’ transferrable skills. They will keep
in contact with their students at various times throughout their PhD in order to invite
them to their meetings and workshops and to keep them up-to-date with news from
the field of cancer research.
Research environment
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology provides a strong, international
environment for research located on the UCL campus at Gower Street in central
London. The UCL campus presents a vibrant and diverse research environment in
the heart of the most exciting city in Europe.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a BSc (upper 2:1) or MSc degree in biology, molecular
biomedicine, biochemistry or a closely related field. Candidates who do not yet have
their degree, but who are expecting to finish this academic year (2015-2016), should
specify the date when they expect to graduate or hand in their thesis.
We are seeking highly motivated individuals with good interpersonal and
communication skills. Previous experience with genetics and with molecular and cell
biological techniques such as PCR, western blotting, cloning, fluorescence
microscopy, FACS sorting and immunostaining would be highly desirable. Fluency in
spoken and written English is a strong requirement.
The position is for 4 years. The annual tax free stipend starts at £21,000 for the first
year and tuition fees are covered at the UK/EU rate.
Informal inquiries may be addressed to r.debruin@ucl.ac.uk
Closing date: 9 December 2015
Application
Applicants are requested to submit their application to i.karney@ucl.ac.uk including:
•A cover letter (max. 1 page) describing your background, personal qualities,
research interests, and most importantly reasons for applying to this position
•Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
•List of publications (if relevant) incl. papers that have been accepted for publication
or are submitted
•Transcript of university examinations (in English)
•Contact details of 1-2 persons for references
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Job Description
Job Title:
PhD Studentship
Department:
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
Reports to
Principal Investigator (Rob de Bruin)
Main Purpose
The postholder will be responsible for making a significant contribution to a project of
high quality research into the role of E2F activity in oncogene-induced replication
stress including designing and running experiments, recording, analysing and writing
up the results.
Duties and Responsibilities
.
 Optimise, perform and interpret experiments.
 Keep comprehensive and accurate records of work performed.
 Write up all new protocols and add them to the lab database.
 Ensure that the group head is kept up to date with progress and difficulties
encountered with work carried out in the laboratory.
 Participate in group meetings and seminars and present ideas and results to the
(inter) national scientific community.
 Keep abreast of the relevant literature and methodology developments.
 Write papers and attend conferences to present data.
 Maintain confidentiality regarding research data when interacting with noncollaborating researchers.
 Work without constant supervision.
 Be responsible for the supervision of junior staff and students.
 Act at all times in the interests of UCL and the MRC LMCB to ensure good
laboratory practice.
 Be accountable for your professional conduct within the project.
 Carry out general housekeeping duties required to ensure the efficient running of
the laboratory.
 Ensure that work in the laboratory is conducted safely and, in particular,
undertake work using appropriate safety procedures in the dedicated areas.
 Conduct yourself with due regard to the University’s Equal Opportunities and
Data Protection policies.
 Undertake other duties that may be required from time to time that are
commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of your post.
 Participate in and support public engagement activities on behalf of UCL and the
MRC LMCB, working with the UCL’s Public Engagement and Communications
Officer. This is anticipated to be around 2 days per year.
Person Specification
Essential
 A BSc or MSc in Biochemistry, Cancer Biology or allied discipline and research
expertise in the fields of genome stability, cell cycle or transcriptional regulation.
 Demonstrable proficiency in general general molecular biology techniques, such
as DNA cloning and genetic manipulation.
 Ability to work independently and largely unsupervised.
 Good communication skills, including ability to present and ability to write up
results and abstracts and to write/draft manuscripts.
 Ability to work as part of a team, working co-operatively with senior and junior
colleagues and sharing laboratory and research resources.
Highly Desirable
Previous experience with genetics and with molecular and cell biological
techniques such as PCR, western blotting, cloning, fluorescence microscopy,
FACS sorting and immunostaining.
Desirable
 Authorship on published, accepted for publication or submitted publications