Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Job number

MED05508

Faculties

Faculty of Medicine

Departments

Department of Surgery & Cancer

Salary or Salary range

£49,017 - £57,472 per annum

Location/campus

Hammersmith Campus - On site only

Contract type work pattern

Full time - Fixed term

Posting End Date

5 Nov 2025

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Research Associate to join the McNeish Lab at Imperial College London, funded by Ovarian Cancer Action. This post offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the role of gene mutations—particularly PTEN loss—in shaping the tumour microenvironment in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC).

Building on our recent findings (see Cancer Research, 2024), the successful candidate will explore how PTEN-deficient tumours drive the emergence of HMOX1hi macrophages and how these cells contribute to poor prognosis in H

macrophages and how these cells contribute to poor prognosis in HGSC. The project will use cutting-edge mouse models, patient-derived samples, mass spectrometry, and co-culture systems to uncover tumour-stroma interactions and identify novel therapeutic targets.

What you would be doing

• Lead experimental investigations into PTEN-driven macrophage reprogramming and tumour-stroma crosstalk.
• Use mass spectrometry to identify tumour-secreted factors influencing macrophage phenotype.
• Explore the role of LYVE1+ macrophages and epigenetic regulation in macrophage polarisation.
• Evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting tumour-associated macrophages in vivo.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and students.
• Publish high-impact research and present findings at national and international conferences.
• Contribute to grant applications and external funding efforts.
• Collaborate across disciplines within Imperial College and with external partners.

What we are looking for

You will have a PhD in immunology, cancer biology, molecular biology, or a related field and have a strong background in tumour immunology, macrophage biology, or microenvironmental research. You will have experience with in vivo models, flow cytometry, transcriptomics, and/or proteomics.

What we can offer you

You'll be part of a multidisciplinary team at the forefront of ovarian cancer research, working in a collaborative and supportive environment. Imperial College London offers world-class facilities, career development opportunities, and a vibrant research culture.

Further information

This is a fulltime, fixed term for 6 months role based at Hammersmith Campus.

Please submit an application via Imperial College's job portal link. Informal enquiries are welcome and can be directed to Sophie Lyons ).

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at We're here to help.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world's toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you'll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you'll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.

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