Research Assistant

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: Band C (S2) £32,315 per annum

Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Contract Type: Fixed-Term (12 Months)

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it is sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you are surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer‑related mortality worldwide, causing 17,700 deaths each year in the UK alone. This project aims to develop an integrated lab‑on‑chip imaging platform for bowel cancer screening using complex human faecal samples, combining microfluidic sample processing with advanced optical microscopy. The work will involve 3D‑printed microfluidic components, super‑resolution imaging approaches, and automated image‑analysis methods to enable sensitive and efficient detection of adenomatous cells.

The research will establish a foundation for future clinical translation and has the potential to improve screening and diagnostic workflows by streamlining sample preparation, analysis, and interpretation, with long‑term benefits for earlier detection and improved patient outcomes.

We are seeking a motivated and well‑organised researcher with strong analytical skills and a collaborative mindset to join the team as a Research Assistant. The role will involve developing and integrating 3D‑printed microfluidic devices with a custom super‑resolution optical microscope, as well as contributing to image analysis and data‑processing workflows. You will work on analytical and computational methods, including advanced microscopy image analysis and automated cell detection.

The post also involves supporting preclinical validation studies using model biological samples and delivering quantitative assessments of system performance. The personnel will be co-supervised by Profs. Lin Wang at STFC and Simon Buczacki at the University of Oxford.

The Research Assistant will become an active member of a small research team embedded within a large national imaging facility, benefiting from close supervision, strong mentorship, and access to extensive resources and technical support. The role offers comprehensive training in the development and prototyping of advanced optical microscopy systems, as well as exposure to a wide range of optical imaging techniques and their applications across biological and medical sciences.

You will also have opportunities to present research outcomes in a dynamic, collaborative environment and at national and international conferences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and integration of 3D‑printed microfluidic devices with a custom optical imaging platform.
• Support experimental workflows combining microfluidic sample processing with advanced microscopy.
• Perform image processing, data analysis, and computational workflows, including automated cell‑detection approaches.
• Support preclinical validation studies using model biological samples.
• Deliver quantitative assessments of system performance and experimental outcomes.
• Participate in research dissemination through internal reporting, collaborative discussions, and presentations at conferences.