Research Technician

About us

The UCL Cancer Institute is a world-leading centre for cancer research, bringing together scientists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals to improve outcomes for patients through innovative research and clinical translation. Within the Research Department of Oncology, the Treatment Resistance Team, led by Professor Gerhardt Attard, focuses on understanding why cancers become resistant to treatment and identifying new opportunities for precision medicine. The team combines expertise in genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, histopathology, and clinical trials to investigate advanced urological cancers, particularly prostate cancer.

Working closely with the internationally recognised STAMPEDE clinical trial programme, the group contributes to research that has transformed the treatment landscape for advanced prostate cancer.

This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require the right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

Applications should include a CV and a Cover Letter:
In the Cover Letter, please provide evidence of the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification part of the Job Description. (By including a Cover Letter, you can leave blank the 'Why you have applied for this role' field in the application form, which is limited in the number of characters it will allow.)

We are seeking a motivated and detail‑oriented Research Technician to provide technical support for translational cancer research projects within the Treatment Resistance Team. The successful candidate will be responsible for processing and managing clinical trial samples, including solid tumours and liquid biopsies, to support genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and histopathological analyses. Key responsibilities include tissue processing and sectioning, H&E staining, nucleic acid extraction, sample tracking and database management, laboratory housekeeping, and supporting sequencing workflows.

The role also requires maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as GCP, GCLP, HTA, and GDPR, and contributing to the efficient operation of a collaborative research laboratory.

This role will be available for 1 year with a start date of 15/08/2026.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 29 July 2026.

You will hold a BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline and have previous laboratory experience, ideally within cancer research, molecular biology, pathology, or a related field. You will have hands‑on experience with tissue processing and sectioning, nucleic acid extraction, blood sample processing, and histological techniques such as H&E staining. Knowledge of regulatory standards governing clinical research and biological samples is essential, as are excellent organisational, record‑keeping, computing, and time‑management skills.

You will be able to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, demonstrating a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to quality. Experience with next‑generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation, slide scanning, clinical trials, or cancer biology would be advantageous. Above all, you will be committed to supporting high‑quality research and fostering an inclusive and collaborative working environment.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On‑Site nursery
• On‑site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme
• Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

For rewards and benefits at UCL please visit:

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: