Advert
This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.
Internal Applicants Only - Research Fellow (Biology)
School of Biosciences
The Medicines Discovery Institute represents a major investment in translational science by Cardiff University. The goal of the Institute is to translate world-leading research on scientific understanding of disease mechanisms into innovative therapeutic approaches. Our vision is to play a leading role in discovering new medicines in areas of high unmet need, with a particular emphasis on neuroscience, mental health, and cancer. We are creating a vibrant community of researchers across both academic and biotech sectors engaged in major research programmes which build off the unique strengths of Cardiff University and work collaboratively with other universities and companies across Wales and internationally.
The Medicines Discovery Institute are looking to attract an experienced Cancer Cell Biologist to support the development of a portfolio of cancer drug discovery projects. The project is funded by the Wales Cancer Research Centre and is full-time for 3 years. The successful candidate will have experience with cancer drug development, handling computational biology, proteomic and transcriptomic data, working with patient and animal-derived primary cell materials, cancer cell biology methods and evaluation of early drug discovery cancer targets.
The role holder and the project leader will coordinate internal and external outsourced activities to ensure that the project delivers its pre-agreed milestones. The role holder will coordinate outsourced activities, including managing contract biology support activities. The holder will be vital in selecting, shaping and driving the projects and will contribute strongly to securing follow-on external grants and commercial investment.
The post holder will use their knowledge and experience in the principles of target identification and target validation to design and deliver experiments that will generate the data packages that are critical in supporting the early-stage drug discovery grant applications that underpin the long-term sustainability of the institute.
The post will be based at Cardiff University and will be part of a multi-disciplinary drug discovery team. For informal inquiries, please contact medicinesdiscovery@cardiff.ac.uk .
This position is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st May 2025 and fixed term until 30th April 2028. Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.
Salary: £51,039 - £55,755 per annum (Grade 7). Please note that due to funding restrictions it is not expected that we will appoint above the bottom of the grade.
Closing date: Wednesday, 20 August 2025
External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University .
Job Description
To lead or work within research projects, to contribute to the research record of the School through commitment to carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Research
- To independently develop research objectives to support the development of a portfolio of cancer drug discovery projects in the area of cancer cell biology, run projects and develop proposals for own or joint research including research funding acting as a PI as required. To develop research networks through regular national/international conference/seminar presentations
- To generate and pursue independent and original research ideas in the field of research and support the initiation of new lines of research in related areas
- To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective national and international publications, research seminars, meetings and conferences
- To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
- To supervise and develop other research staff within own research projects
- To provide guidance students in own specialist area, including supervising and assessing undergraduate projects
- To participate in School research activities.
Other
- To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
- To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
- Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Person Specification
IMPORTANT NOTE: When submitting your supporting statement, you must provide evidence as to how you meet each of the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria below. We suggest that you do so by using each of the criteria as sub-headings, providing written evidence of your relevant skills underneath. Before uploading this attachment, please ensure that you include ****BR within the filename.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications And Education
- Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
- Cancer drug discovery
- Cancer cell biology
- Cancer biology methodologies including (but not limited to): Cell Culture Techniques, PCR, qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, CRISPR, RNA sequencing, Flow Cytometry, Microscopy, Histology and immunohistochemistry, Animal Xenograft Models (CDX and PDX), High-throughput Screening, biochemical and biophysical assay development, Bioinformatics, Depmap, TCGA, Computational Biology.
- Growing national reputation within academic field
- Proven substantial record of publications in national journals and/or other research outputs.
- Proven ability to have applied for or to have attained competitive research funding developing a strong portfolio of research grants
Communication and Team Working
- Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
- Proven ability to lead and develop a research team
- Proven ability to attract MA and PhD students
Other
- Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
Desirable criteria
- Relevant professional qualification(s).
- Evidence of collaborations with industry.
- Proven ability to work without close supervision
- Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
- Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the teaching and research activities of the School.
- A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.
Salary Range Min.
51,039
Salary Range Max.
55,755
Job Category
Academic - Research
Grade
Grade 7
