Research Assistant/Associate in Prostate Cancer Liver Metastases

Salary:

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 Profiles.pdf.  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.

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/

Find out more about our Research Institutes: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

Contact for the post is Dr Jack Leslie (jack.leslie@newcastle.ac.uk)

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 experience working with mouse models
• Knowledge and/or research experience relevant to cancer biology, tumour immunology, metastasis and/or metabolic disease
• Experience of experimental approaches relevant to the project, such as flow cytometry, tissue processing and histology/immunostaining, cell culture or molecular analysis
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.

In addition for Research Associate

• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• Honours degree in cancer biology, immunology, biomedical sciences, biological sciences or a related discipline

In addition for Research Associate

• PhD in cancer biology, immunology, prostate cancer, metastasis, metabolic disease, in vivo research or a related discipline

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: 29788