Principal Research Associate

Salary: £58,225 to £65,509 per annum, pro rata

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: 28 October 2025

The Role

We are seeking an experience translational researcher with a strong background in leukaemia, cytogenetics, genomics and clinical trials to lead an exciting project focussed on exploring the genomic landscape of paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia and determining the clinical relevance of genetic and transcriptomic variation.

The project is part of the Cancer Research (CRUK) Experimental Medicine Award entitled “BIOINFORM: Biologically informed treatment decisions in acute leukaemia” recently awarded to Professor Moorman. The overall aim of the programme is to explore the genomic landscape of acute leukaemia and its association with clinical outcome. We have assembled a unique cytogenetic and genomic dataset using samples taken from patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and treated on the MyeChild01 clinical trial. We have data generated from cytogenetics, FISH, whole transcriptomic sequencing, whole genome sequencing, targeted sequencing and optical genome mapping. The successful candidate must have an in-depth knowledge of all these techniques and a proven track record in characterising, validating and evaluating biomarkers in childhood leukaemia as well as implementing biomarkers in clinical practice.

This is an excellent opportunity join a dynamic translational research group with a track record of improving patient diagnosis and management.

This appointment is a part-time post (0.6FTE) available for a fixed-term of 2 years.

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Anthony Moorman anthony.moorman@newcastle.ac.uk

Further Information about the Faculty can be found at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/fms/.

Newcastle University values diversity and is committed to recruited and supporting staff and students from all sectors of society. The Translation and Clinical Research Institute holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for women working in science, and the HR Excellence in Research award.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the paediatric AML work-package within the BIOINFORM project to identify biologically important subtype of the disease and to determine their prognostic and clinical relevance. Supervise the senior bioinformatician undertaking the primary analysis
• Show academic leadership in childhood leukaemia genetics and genomics methods across the Leukaemia Research Cytogenomics Group
• Carry out research within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and to an appropriate standard
• Show a commitment to high quality research and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Monitor workload and supervise junior staff who may be working on several projects
• Prepare bids for submission to prestigious funders
• Publish in peer reviewed journals and present findings at conferences nationally and internationally
• Build internal and external contacts and participate in networks for the exchange of information/ideas and to form relationships for future collaboration
• Identify and undertake a programme of professional development, including further training in research methods and other transferable skills.
• To contribute to the wider activities of the Leukaemia Research Cytogenomics Group (LRCG)
• Carry out administrative tasks and other duties to support the Leukaemia Research Cytogenomics Group (LRCG)

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A substantial track record of publication in leading peer reviewed journals
• Experience of successful management, supervision and mentoring of junior colleagues including bioinformaticians
• Experience in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to successfully deliver research projects
• Excellent skills in communication, both orally and in written forms, including the ability to create, organise and present complex methodology and findings clearly
• Expertise and knowledge of the genetic and genomic landscape of blood cancers
• Expertise and experience interpretating data derived from cytogenetics, FISH, whole transcriptomic sequencing, whole genome sequencing and optical genome mapping
• Experience liaising with clinical trial units

Desirable

• Experience and knowledge of paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia
• Experience of secondary research methods, such as systematic reviews, rapid reviews, and scoping reviews
• Experience of developing and delivering programmes of work
• Ability to develop and deliver innovative approaches to evidence synthesis research

Attributes and Behaviour

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Motivated, proactive researcher
• Experience of effectively managing and taking responsibility for own workload

Qualifications 

• A PhD in genetics

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a gold  Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28702