Location: Institute of Child Health, University College London
Closing Date: 31 March 2024
We are looking for a researcher with experience in senescence, mouse genetics, embryology and/or tumorigenesis to work on a research programme focussed on the role of senescence in childhood brain tumours. The post will be based within the new Birth Defects Research Centre, at the UCL Institute of Child Health. Further details can be obtained at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/child-health/research/developmental-biology-and-cancer
We are using preclinical models of paediatric brain cancer to study the role of senescence in the pathogenesis of these cancers as well as to evaluate the efficacy of senolytics. We have generated mouse models that resemble human adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma and revealed a mechanism by which stem cells contribute to tumourigenesis, which is different to the classical cancer stem cell paradigm (e.g. PMID:24094324; PMID:21636786;PMID:31699993).These stem cells become senescent and contribute to tumorigenesis though the synthesis and secretion of biologically active molecules, however the critical players have not yet been identified (e.g. PMID: 29180744; PMID: 29541918;; PMID: 33378554). Likewise, our models of low- and high- grade paediatric glioma provide an excellent platform to study senescence in vivo and to screen and test the effects of senolytics (e.g. PMID: 31799499; PMID: 30530705). The researcher will work in a team aiming to understand the role of senescence in paediatric brain tumours. https://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=JPMAR49
This post is funded until 31.03.2024 in the first instance. Potentially extendable.
Salary: £36,770 - £39,843 per annum
Start date: 1 October 2022
Closing Date: 31 March 2024
Scientific fields: Development and disease
Model systems: Mouse, Human, Cell culture
Minimum qualifications: University degree (BSc/MSc/MRes) in relevant area, e.g. stem cell biology/ cell biology / developmental biology/ cancer biology. PhD in relevant area (either awarded or within 3 months of being awarded). Experience of conducting research in senescence, mouse genetics, development and/or cancer, excellent knowledge of research lab techniques, including qRT-PCR, Tissue Culture, Immunohistochemistry and Histology among others.
