Sheffield Hallam University
As one of the UK’s largest and most progressive universities, our teaching, research and partnerships are characterised by a focus on real world impact – addressing the health, economic and social challenges facing society today.
We are recruiting for a Cancer Research UK funded Post Doctoral Researcher to support transformational change in the early detection and diagnosis of cancer, with a particular focus on malignant mesothelioma, an extremely aggressive and incurable cancer. Approximately, 94% of malignant mesothelioma cases in the UK are preventable by early intervention, although no biomarkers predict development in high-risk individuals. Our current work aims to reliably and non-invasively detect at an early stage, combining a biomarker panel of inflammatory-related and metabolic processes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaled breath.
The key challenge for this post is to study the biological origins of target VOC biomarkers to identify clear associations to relevant metabolic changes. Understanding the metabolic origins of target VOC biomarkers, to ultimately produce a ‘VOCS-BOX’- a sample of breath that provides a clear association to cancer in relation to histology, genetics and oxidative stress.
Sheffield Hallam University along with partners at the University of Liverpool and the University of Sheffield (including the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre), have been successful in a CR-UK bid to fund a Post Doctoral Research Assistant for 12 months. This new collaboration will foster research capacity and capability through collaborations involving mass spectrometry as a bioanalytical technique for biomarker discovery, alongside various preclinical models.
The postdoctoral researcher will be based at the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (Sheffield Hallam University) and will also be expected to visit the University of Liverpool. This post offers an excellent and exciting opportunity for academic career advancement, Sheffield Hallam University has a range of internal development opportunities available to research staff.
You should have completed a PhD in Cell Biology, Cancer Medicine, or other related discipline, with an excellent research track record. It is essential that you have expertise in cell culture model systems. A working knowledge of histology, genetics and oxidative stress in relation to cancer biology is also required for this position. Experience in the use and development of mass spectrometry (DESI-MSI and GC-MS) is desirable.
We are looking for an innovative individual with an interest in applying your research skills to a challenging project, and willing to learn new techniques. You will also be expected to publish your results in a peer-reviewed journal.
Sheffield Hallam welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.
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