Research Assistant​/Associate in Prostate Cancer Liver Metastases

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Requisition

Location:

Newcastle, GB

Contract Type:
Fixed Term

Working Pattern:
Full Time

Posted Date: 25 Sept 2026

Research Assistant £33,951 to £35,608 per annum

Research Associate £36,636 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 9 October 2026

The Role

This 4-year Prostate Cancer UK-funded project will investigate how obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) creates a permissive hepatic microenvironment for prostate cancer liver metastases (PCLM) and contributes to treatment resistance. The postholder will work across the research groups of Dr Jack Leslie and Dr Emma Scott to establish and analyse pre-clinical mouse models of obesity/MASLD and PCLM, including therapeutic intervention studies, and will use immunological, histological and molecular approaches to define how the liver microenvironment is remodelled during metastatic progression and therapy.

A particular focus will be on neutrophils and CD8+ T cells and on responses to androgen receptor-targeted therapy, with the overarching aim of identifying mechanisms that can be targeted to improve treatment responses in PCLM.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role  . These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Duration of post is until 30 September 2030, full time.

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

• Establish and undertake pre-clinical mouse models of obesity/MASLD and prostate cancer liver metastases, including therapeutic intervention studies
• Collect and process tissues and undertake immunological, histological and molecular profiling of the metastatic liver using approaches relevant to the project
• Work collaboratively across the Leslie and Scott research groups and with project collaborators to integrate in vivo, mechanistic and translational findings
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate

Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Research Assistant

• Demonstrable hands-on experience of in vivo animal research, including practical…