The Centre for Evolution and Cancer within the Institute of Cancer Research is supported by a Strategic Award from the Wellcome Trust. We focus on interrogating clonal evolution in tumours by studying the dynamics of heterogeneous cancer cell populations and their microenvironment. We make use of multi-region genomic profiling, single-cell genetics, computational histopathological analysis and mathematical modelling to reconstruct the past evolutionary history of tumours and predict their future.

Dr Andrea Sottoriva’s lab, in collaboration with the Greaves and Valeri’s labs at the ICR and other research laboratories in the UK and Italy, has been awarded the CRUK Accelerator Award entitled “Single cell cancer evolution in the clinic”.

The aim of the collaboration is to deliver tools and devices that could be promptly implemented in a clinical setting to pre-emptively intercept treatment resistance in individual cancer patients. The team combines cancer evolutionary modelling, new single-cell approaches, novel microfluidic devices, patient-derived organoid models, and new data integration techniques with the aim of providing comprehensive single-cell portraits of patient samples, before and after treatment.

For this position, we are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow with expertise in molecular and cellular biology applied to cancer evolution to work on forecasting drug resistance in cancer. The responsibilities include tissue culture of cancer model systems, specifically cell lines and patient-derived organoids, drug screening, lentiviral transfection, next-generation sequencing, and single-cell genomic profiling of samples from patients and models. The post will be responsible for designing and running experimental evolution assays in cancer model systems and study the emergence of resistance do novel drugs in the context of intra-tumour heterogeneity and clonal evolution. The successful candidate will work closely with a diverse team to formulate hypotheses and validate predictions using quantitative assays.

Applicants should have a good first degree in biology, biotechnology, or similar and a PhD in cancer biology or similar. Applicants must have experience with cancer model systems, drug screening, and have a good publication record. Experience with next-generation sequencing is highly desirable. Experience with animal models would also be advantageous. Excellent organizational and communication skills are essential.

The position is offered on a 3 year fixed term contract. The full salary range for the post is £32,200 – £42,550 p.a. inclusive. Starting salary on the scale will be based on previous postdoctoral experience.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Andrea Sottoriva (andrea.sottoriva@icr.ac.uk). Please DO NOT send your application via email, formal applications must be submitted online.

To apply please complete an application form online, including supporting statement section and two referees contact details and upload your CV