MI/25/33 – Postdoctoral Scientist Systems Oncology Group

Key Details

Job ID:
MI/25/33
Role:
Postdoctoral Scientist
Salary:
£37,000 – £44,852 (depending on qualifications and experience)
Closing date:
6th July 2025

About the role

Dr Claus Jorgensen, Group Leader of the Systems Oncology Group, is looking for a Postdoctoral Scientist to join his group. This is a great opportunity for a self-motivated, innovative, meticulous and organised candidate who is keen to work in a dynamic laboratory undertaking cutting edge research. The goal of the Systems Oncology Group is to understand how the tumour microenvironment, and the desmoplastic reaction, regulates tumour cell function and therapeutic response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

We have identified a novel target regulating the interactions between tumour cells and the microenvironment, which we believe may be a target for future therapeutic intervention. The objective of this post is to functionally characterise this target and its role in regulating tumour cells, host cells, and their interactions.

Specifically, the post holder will use a number of in vitro cell biology assays to assess cell function and biochemical assays to assess cell signalling in vitro; this will include functional CRISPR screening and mass spectrometry analysis in 2D and 3D cell models. Tumour models will be analysed by IF/IHC, proteomics, genomics and transcriptionally as well as testing novel combination treatments using available in vivo models (see Hutton et al Cancer Cell 2021, Lee et al Nat Comm 2021 and Below et al Nat Mat 2022). This is a project for a highly collaborative individual seeking to make a difference in a very hard to treat cancer.

About you

You should have a PhD in biochemistry, cancer biology, cell biology, immunology or a related field. Experience in protein biochemistry, analysis of cell signalling and use of in vitro models of cancer is required. Experience with in vivo tumour models and immunology is desirable.

Key qualities include independent thinking, ability to work in a team and good communication skills, all of which are needed to efficiently work in a multidisciplinary team.

Claus Jørgensen Deputy Director & Senior Group Leader
A Pancreatic cancer image
Paterson Building Scientific Administration

More information

Professor Claus Jørgensen

Claus joined the CRUK Manchester Institute in early 2014 to form the Systems Oncology group, which focuses on the complex interactions between malignant and normal cells, with a particular interest in pancreatic cancer. In 2017, he was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant, and was promoted to Senior Group Leader at the Manchester Institute. In 2022, Claus became Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Manchester, and in 2023 he was appointed as Deputy Director of the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute.

Systems Oncology Group

The Systems Oncology Group focus on identifying and delineating the regulatory mechanisms whereby tumour cells co-opt stromal cells and how the ‘activated’ stromal cells affect tumour cell behaviour (malignant progression, drug sensitivity and metastasis), using Mass Cytometry (CyTOF), CRISPR editing/screening, sequencing and quantitative mass spectrometry to systematically measure signalling on a global level.
Through data-integrative approaches, they aim to describe how signals are processed in a cell-specific manner, which requires single cell methodologies to separate the activities of all the cell types in the tumour, and are creating new models of pancreatic cancer in the laboratory, using synthetic scaffolds to artificially alter the stiffness of the tumour, mixing in fibroblasts and immune cells, and experimentally determining the effect of each component on the tumour growth.

About CRUK Manchester Institute

Our aim is to understand the fundamental basis of cancer and apply that knowledge to developing new treatment strategies for cancer patients. Our advanced research programmes span a spectrum of cancer research, from the molecular and cellular basis of cancer through to drug discovery, translational research and clinical trials. rnThe Institute has access to outstanding laboratory facilities and exceptional core services, including next generation sequencing, microarrays, confocal microscopy, bioinformatics, histology and mass-spectrometry.

Professor Claus Jørgensen
Systems Oncology Group
About CRUK Manchester Institute

How to apply

To apply for this position please complete the online application using the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please ensure you detail the names of three referees and ensure you submit your application before the 11:59 pm on the closing date of the 6th July 2025.

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Why choose Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute?

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, an Institute of The University of Manchester, is a world-leading centre for excellence in cancer research. The Institute is core funded by Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org),
the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world.

We are partnered with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe, which is located adjacent to the CRUK MI Manchester Institute in South Manchester. These factors combine to provide an exceptional environment in which to pursue basic, translational and clinical research programmes.

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