Research Assistant in Colorectal Cancer

Overview

Centre for Human Genetics, Building for Genomic Medicine, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7BN

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to join Professor Simon Leedham’s research group within the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. This exciting opportunity is part of the Colorectal Cancer – Stem Cells and Adaptive Molecular Phenotype (CRC-STAMP) programme, which aims to understand how adaptive cellular phenotypes emerge in colorectal cancer and influence treatment response and resistance.

You will undertake laboratory-based research in cancer genetics and molecular biology, including sample preparation, genotyping, mutation screening, cell culture, tissue preparation and analysis, and functional assays. You will establish and manage mouse colonies, support breeding programmes and experimental studies, and apply genomic and spatial biology approaches to investigate molecular phenotypes and signalling pathways. You will manage your own research and administrative activities, contribute to experimental design and project planning, analyse and present scientific data, and assist with the preparation of scientific reports, publications and conference presentations.

You will also work collaboratively with colleagues within Oxford and partner institutions and contribute to the wider activities of the research group.

It is essential that you hold a degree in molecular biology or a related subject and have experience of basic molecular genetics techniques. You will have the ability to manage your own research and administrative activities, strong communication skills, and experience of following and adapting experimental protocols and selecting appropriate methodologies to address research questions. Experience of contributing to scientific publications, working as part of a research team, and basic bioinformatics skills would be advantageous.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date.

Only applications received before 12 midday on Thursday 9 July 2026 will be considered. Please quote
186023
on all correspondence.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract until 30 June 2028 and is funded by Cancer Research UK.

Salary (£) :
Research Grade 6: £35,681 - £41,636 with a discretionary range to £46,476 p.a. (pro rata). This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year (pro rata).