Faculty of Medicine and Health
School of Medicine
Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology (LICAP)
and Leeds Cancer Research UK Centre
Based at St James’s University Hospital
Research Fellow
CRUK tumour immunology and immunotherapy development post
A full time post-doctoral research position is available for one year to develop in vivo and
in vitro modelling of tumour immune evasion pathways and strategies for tumour
immunotherapy. This is a joint post between the tumour immunology group (lead by Dr
Graham Cook) and the CRUK Centre Director (Prof Alan Melcher) who leads Cancer
Biotherapy research. The project will utilise in vivo and in vitro models of cancer to analyse
how different immunotherapy strategies, including cellular therapies and oncolytic viruses,
might synergise to enhance anti-tumour immunity.
Applicants should hold a PhD in an appropriate area and have research experience in
molecular and cellular immunology, cancer immunotherapy and expertise in the use of in
vivo models of cancer treatment.
The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and
offers a range of family friendly policies (http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/4/policies).
The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award.
The School of Medicine gained the Bronze award in 2013. We are committed to
being an inclusive medical school that values all staff, and we are happy to consider
job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our
employees.
This full time post is available immediately for 12 months
University Grade 7 (£31,342 - £37,394 p.a) depending on qualifications and
experience
Informal information about the post is available from Dr Graham Cook
(g.p.cook@leeds.ac.uk).
If you have any specific enquiries about your online application please contact
Sharon Collins, s.collins@leeds.ac.uk or Nicola Johnson, n.johnson@leeds.ac.uk
It is anticipated that interviews will take place week commencing the 11 May 2015
Job Ref: MHCAP1023
Closing Date: 26 April 2015
Background
The Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology (LICAP)
Director: Professor Tim Bishop
http://medhealth.leeds.ac.uk/info/900/leeds_institute_of_cancer_and_pathology
The Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology addresses both laboratory based and clinical
research into cancer with a major focus on translational science. LICAP is one of the
largest cancer Institute’s in the country and has major financial support from the cancer
charities. The laboratories and clinical research are all based on the St James’s site with
laboratory activities being located in the Wellcome Trust Brenner Building and adjacent
buildings while the clinical work is based within Bexley Wing. The Institute consists of eight
Sections:
Epidemiology & Biostatistics; Experimental Haematology; Experimental
Oncology; Oncology & Clinical Research (Clinical); Oncology & Clinical Research
(Laboratory); Patient Centred Outcome Research; Pre-cancer Genomics; and Pathology &
Tumour Biology.
Cancer Research UK Leeds Centre
http://www.cancerresearchukcentre.leeds.ac.uk
The Leeds Cancer Research UK Centre is a partnership between the University of Leeds,
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Cancer Research UK, which aims to harness
the scientific power of Leeds-based cancer researchers to deliver improvements in cancer
care at local, national and international level. It fosters excellence in basic and
translational research and offers services to all cancer researchers in Leeds, irrespective
of their funding source. Beyond research, the Centre is also keen to build stronger
relationships with the local community, with patients undergoing cancer treatment, their
carers, cancer survivors and the wider public.
Section of Oncology and Clinical Research (Laboratory) – Professor Alan Melcher
The Section’s research is centred on i) viruses as causative and therapeutic agents in
cancer, ii) interactions between tumours and the host immune system (with a particular
focus on the role of natural killer cells), iii) neuro-oncology, including glioma stem cells,
the tumour microenvironment in brain tumours, and radiation biology and therapeutics, and
iv) Identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets in renal cancer and other diseases
of the kidney, principally using proteomic techniques. The Section focuses particularly on
translational research, spanning laboratory studies through to early clinical trials, to
provide an iterative ‘bench to bedside and back again’ platform to develop novel
treatments for cancer patients.
Main purpose of the job
This is a post funded by the CRUK Centre Leeds and located at the St. James’s University
Hospital Campus of the University of Leeds, School of Medicine. The centre is expanding its
focus on tumour immunology and virology/immunotherapy and has created a post to develop
these areas in a joint project between Dr Graham Cook and Prof Alan Melcher. You will
establish in vitro and in vivo models suitable for addressing immune- and virus-based
treatments of cancer. The project will analyse the molecular basis of these treatments with
the aim of improving current applications of these agents.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the planning, execution and analysis of the experimental work
and its presentation (e.g. at conferences and in primary research publications). The project
is supervised by Dr. Graham Cook and by Professor Alan Melcher.
The researcher will also:

Analyse and interpret their data and further develop research objectives in line
with the overall aims of the project.

Present their research findings at local, national and international scientific
meetings.

Prepare and submit written reports for internal and external review and author
publications to peer reviewed journals.

Maintain accurate and up-to-date laboratory and other records at a level suitable
for long term archiving.

Treat all data and samples (particularly with respect to patient-derived material)
in accordance with current good practice policies and regulations.

Maintain a good working knowledge of laboratory health and safety policy,
implement these policies and encourage others to do so.

Prepare appropriate risk assessments (e.g. for laboratory procedures).

Conduct individual and collaborative research using techniques that they have
either independently identified or devised.

Contribute to setting the direction of the project, making decisions that might
affect the research over the short to medium term

Proactively establish and participate in networks within and external to the
organisation, facilitating the sharing of information and the establishment of
collaborations for current and potential future research.

Be proactive in assessing the progression of the project, suggesting possible
improvements in assessing the work being done

As appropriate, assist in the preparation of research proposals and funding
applications in collaboration with others or in partnership with the research
grant holders.

Continually update their knowledge of the scientific literature, applying this
knowledge to their own research and to that of their colleagues.

Contribute to the supervision, training and assessment of students and to
assist in the management and training of staff in technical support positions.

Contribute to the general upkeep of the laboratory and to participate in the dayto-day tasks that help to maintain a safe and efficient working environment.
In compliance with University policy, you will be expected to have a basic knowledge of
the financial and procurement procedures and regulations and will be required to
undertake relevant training / induction to gain this knowledge.
You are expected to support and adhere to the Faculty's commitment to Equality and
Diversity.
Relationships
The appointment will be made through the Section of Oncology & Clinical Research
(Laboratory groups), Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology (LICAP). The appointee will
be directly responsible to the group leader (Dr Graham Cook), and through him to
Professor Alan Melcher, Head of Section, Professor Tim Bishop, Head of Institute, the
Dean of the School of Medicine and Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Health.
University Values
All staff are expected to operate in line with the university’s values and standards, which
work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together.
More information about the university’s strategy and values is available at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/
Person specification
Essential
 A first degree and a PhD. Both degrees should be in a relevant area of the
biological sciences and must include substantial immunological expertise
 Practical experience of immunological studies using murine, healthy donor and
patient samples.
 Productive research experience in molecular and cellular immunology,
oncolytic virus research and in vitro and in vivo immune assays, as evidenced
by publications in peer reviewed journals.
 A working knowledge of tumour biology, biochemistry/cell biology and cancer
biology, evidenced through qualifications, publications and professional
activity.
 Research experience of in vivo modeling and the analysis and use of human
tumour samples to analyse therapeutic strategies
 Experience of cell isolation from complex tissues (e.g. tumours, blood and
secondary lymphoid tissue) and ex vivo culture of cells derived from these
tissues.
 Research experience in molecular and cellular immunology and virology
techniques including flow cytometry, viral infection assays and immune assays
such as cytokine release and cytotoxicity assays.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills, evidenced by peer reviewed
and published scientific writing and poster/oral presentations at research
conferences.
 Demonstrable ability to work independently, to prioritise tasks and manage
time and meet deadlines and, where necessary, to work flexibly to meet the
needs of the research project.
 Demonstrable ability to work across existing groups and to promote
collaborative working across teams and to enhance a collegiate research
environment for colleagues within the Institute/University.
 Demonstrable ability to work closely with other research staff (such as
technicians) and, where necessary, to provide suitable training and support to
these staff.
 Demonstrable ability to be self-motivated to identify opportunities for related
research activity and for participation in preparing new applications for
research funding with senior colleagues.
 An awareness of ethical practices, particularly surrounding clinical material and
its collection, use and storage.
 Proficient use of standard computer software packages (e.g. Microsoft Office
applications) and graphical/statistical analysis tools (for example, Excel, SPSS
and GraphPad Prism).
Desirable
 Post-doctoral research experience in immunotherapeutics of cancer.
 Experience in natural killer cell biology and their recruitment via
immunotherapy.
Further information
Faculty Information
Faculty of Medicine and Health Information
With more than 6,000 students, 1,600 staff and annual research income of £50m, the
Faculty of Medicine and Health at Leeds is bigger than some universities. Leeds has one
of the largest medical and bioscience research bases in the UK, and is an acknowledged
world leader in cancer, cardiovascular, psychiatric, genetic, musculo-skeletal and health
services research. Treatments developed in Leeds are transforming the lives of people
around the world living with conditions such as HIV, TB, diabetes and malaria.
The School of Medicine
The School of Medicine at the University of Leeds is a major international centre for
research and education. Our ambition is to improve health and reduce health inequalities,
locally and globally, through excellent scientific research and the translation of that
research into healthcare practice, and through the education of future scientific and clinical
leaders who will advocate and practise an evidence-based approach. Our major strategic
aims are to:




Deliver outstanding research including basic discovery science through to applied
health research that makes a significant difference to health.
Produce exceptional graduates, clinicians, educators, doctoral and post-doctoral
fellows whose learning has been informed and inspired by our research excellence
and who will form the next generation of academic and clinical leaders.
Develop and support knowledge transfer activities that flow from our academic
activities.
Create and maintain an efficient and sustainable environment for research and
teaching within an organisational culture and management style that enacts and
supports the university’s core values of community, inclusiveness, integrity and
professionalism.
The School of Medicine is organised into seven Institutes. All are committed to high quality
research-led teaching, through their training of postgraduate research students, delivery of
postgraduate taught courses, and its leadership in undergraduate teaching. The School
works closely with the local NHS, having a number of jointly funded clinical posts to ensure
this relationship is effective and strong for both research and student education.
Additional information
Terms and Conditions
Details of the terms and conditions of employment for all staff at the university, including
information on pensions and benefits, are available on the Human Resources web pages
accessible via the links on the right hand side, or at http://hr.leeds.ac.uk/policies
Disclosure and Barring Service Checks
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check is not required for this position. However,
applicants who have unspent convictions must indicate this in the ‘other personal details’
section of the application form and send details to the Recruitment Officer
Disabled Applicants
The post is located in the Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James’s University
Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds LS9 7TF. Disabled applicants wishing to review access to
the building are invited to contact the department direct. Additional information may be
sought from the Recruitment Officer, email disclosure@leeds.ac.uk or tel + 44 (0)113 343
1723.
Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their disability but will still be
covered by the Equality Act once their disability becomes known.
Further information for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health
conditions is available in the applicant guidance.