Research Associate

Job description

About the role

Are you a protein engineer or tumour immunologist who wants to see your molecules move towards patients with advanced prostate cancer? We are looking for a Research Associate to lead a Prostate Cancer UK-funded programme combining a T cell engager with another immunotherapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

T cell engagers can promote mCRPC regression, but responses are rarely durable: CD3 engagement delivers signal 1 without the co-stimulation that T cells need to persist. To overcome this challenge, combination strategies with inflammatory molecules will be tested alongside the engineering of novel design to trigger a complete and robust T cell activation. Any design and ideas will have to be explored thoroughly through rigorous validation of efficacy, mechanism and tolerability with the aim to bring this project to clinical translation with a clinical development partner.

What you would be doing

You will take day-to-day scientific ownership of the programme, working with a PhD student and a research technician, and our clinical and academic collaborators. You wil:

• " data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"> Design, express and purify bispecific antibody and protein fusion constructs in mammalian expression systems, and characterise them by SEC, SPR/BLI, DSF and functional binding assays.
• Run primary human T cell and NK cell assays - cytotoxicity, activation, exhaustion phenotyping, polyfunctionality and repeat-stimulation models.
• Deliver in vivo efficacy, biodistribution and tolerability studies in syngeneic and humanised mouse models of prostate cancer, including dose-sparing and dosing-interval regimens and pre-specified vascular and drug safety endpoints.
• Analyse tumour microenvironment changes by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomic profiling, and integrate the results into a coherent mechanistic picture.
• Help run a collaborative laboratory: supervise and support students, keep rigorous records, and contribute to the smooth operation of shared facilities.

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What we are looking for

• " data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"> A PhD (or close to completion) in immunology, protein engineering, bioengineering, cancer biology or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience of recombinant protein expression and purification, and of biophysical or biochemical characterisation of the proteins you make.
• Experience of primary immune cell assays and/or in vivo tumour models; a UK Home Office personal licence, or willingness to obtain one, is an advantage.
• A strong publication record relative to career stage, and evidence that you can drive a project rather than only execute one.
• The judgement to design experiments that answer a question - including the ones that could show the hypothesis is wrong - and the rigour to interpret them honestly.
• Excellent written and spoken communication, and the collaborative instincts to work well with students, clinicians and industrial partners.

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What we can offer you

• " data-aria-posinset="14" data-aria-level="1"> A funded, well-defined three-year programme with a clear translational endpoint, in a group whose previous matrix-targeting work has moved from the bench into clinical development.
• An established collaborative network across clinical oncology, structural biology and industry, and active support in applying for your own fellowship funding.
• A purpose-built research environment at the White City Campus, with access to Imperial's protein production, imaging, flow cytometry, single-cell and in vivo facilities.
• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial's sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

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Further information

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) fixed-term contract for up to 24 months, funded by Prostate Cancer UK. The expected start date is [1 January 2027], or as soon as possible thereafter.

*please note, if you are yet to receive your PhD, you will be appointed as Research Assistant ( £45,399 - £48,876)

The post sits in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial's White City Campus, where engineers, immunologists and clinicians work side by side on translational medicine. The Ishihara Laboratory develops matrix-anchored protein therapeutics - cytokines, checkpoint inhibitors and T cell engagers targeted to tumour collagen - and works closely with clinical partners in the UK, the US and Japan.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Dr Jun Ishihara - [[email protected]].