Requisition ID: 18162
Location:
Newcastle, GB
Contract Type: Open Ended
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 10 Aug 2023
We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.
We understand how important the full employment package is to our colleagues at Newcastle University and we are committed to providing a great range of benefits and discounts for all. You can learn more about what is available here on our Benefits Website page.
Salary:
Lecturer Grade F: £33,966 to £44,263 per annum
Lecturer Grade G: £45,585 to £54,395 per annum
Senior Lecturer: £56,021 to £64,914 per annum
Closing Date: 08 September 2023
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Lecturer/Lecturer to join the Newcastle University drug discovery group to focus on cancer drug discovery bioscience.
We are an organisation that champions collaboration and, in this role, you’ll be part of an integrated team of cancer biologists, pharmacologists, structural biologists and medicinal chemists, who develop novel, differentiated, small molecule therapies for cancer patients. The group currently comprises nearly 50 staff and students, including 7 academic members. The group has a substantial portfolio and has contributed to the discovery of two registered cancer medicines and two other oncology drugs currently in clinical trials (https://research.ncl.ac.uk/drugdiscovery/).
We are an integral academic partner of Cancer Research UK’s new organisation, Cancer Research Horizons Therapeutic Innovation, which has 5 additional sites in Cambridge (Babraham campus and others), Glasgow (Beatson Institute) and London (Francis Crick Institute). We benefit from collaborative working across these sites with a combined portfolio (https://www.cancerresearchhorizons.com).
In this role, you’ll be based at our Newcastle Upon Tyne campus that has fantastic transport links and state of the art facilities. You’ll report to Steve Wedge, who is the University’s Professor of Stratified Cancer Medicine Discovery (https://research.ncl.ac.uk/drugdiscovery/ourteam/leadershipteam/profstevewedge).
You will have the opportunity to develop and expand the key research area of drug discovery bioscience as applied to stratified cancer medicines.
This role is positioned in the Translational and Clinical Research Institute (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/translational/about/) whose mission is to transform understanding of disease mechanisms from the laboratory into real-world benefits for patients. It is also aligned to the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/cancer/).
What do we need from you?
You will need to hold a bioscience relevant PhD and have previous bioscience experience gained in either academia, biotech and/or a large pharmaceutical company. Candidates with expertise in other disciplines (e.g., medicinal chemistry) will not be considered.
You will be technically proficient in the use and development of current molecular and cellular technologies relevant to target validation and the demonstration of drug action in cells.
We seek candidates from academia with:
- A strong track-record in translational cancer research.
- Significant experience in examining the molecular mechanisms of action of cancer targets and novel cancer therapeutics in preclinical models.
- Experience in characterising and interrogating cancer disease to reveal determinants of therapy sensitivity and resistance, and hence guide patient stratification hypotheses.
We seek candidates from industry with:
- A strong track-record in designing bioscience cascades to support drug discovery.
- Experience of working on multiple projects, across diverse target classes, in varied cancer disease settings, and involving different mechanisms of action.
- Evidence of having successfully championed new project starts.
- Experience of the different phases of drug discovery, in particular the selection and validation of new drug targets for oncology, including an appreciation of the translational context, biomarker discovery, and patient stratification.
Newcastle University is a world-class research-intensive university that aims to provide an outstanding educational experience to its students. Whilst the majority of the role will be focussed on delivering an active programme of research, you will also contribute to the planning and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervision.
To apply for the position, we’ll need your CV and a personal statement outlining how you are suitable for the role using evidence to highlight how you meet the essential criteria in the knowledge, skills and experience as listed in the job description.
For further information please contact Professor Steve Wedge: steve.wedge@ncl.ac.uk
Key Accountabilities
- To identify and/or evaluate new therapeutic target opportunities and lead related research in cancer drug discovery bioscience, working closely with bioscientists, structural scientists and medicinal chemists in-house and externally (with collaborators).
- To champion new strategies and experimental technologies relevant to cancer drug discovery.
- To work independently and to take a lead in developing and submitting/ publishing in internationally-recognised journals, to bid for research grants from prestigious funders, and participate in dissemination activities.
- To create and maintain strong collaborative links with other researchers based in the Institute, Faculty and University, and external partners working in the relevant field of research, and to develop collaborative links with international colleagues working in this area.
- Promote a research culture that encourages and celebrates a rich diversity in its workforce and that upholds the highest standards for its research integrity, data reproducibility and collaborative spirit.
- To lead and contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and assessments; supervise undergraduate and Masters dissertations and postgraduate research students in research projects in cancer research/pharmacology and related areas.
- To carry out management and administrative duties as deemed necessary, including participation in relevant School and Faculty committees and activities as required by your line manager and the Institute Dean.
- To act as a personal tutor to a group of students, concerned with students’ academic achievements, and pastoral care.
LECTURER LEVEL APPOINTMENT
The Person (Essential)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Knowledge
- Evidence of substantial knowledge of contemporary cancer biology and translational research
- Knowledge of target identification methods, therapeutics for cancer treatment, and clinical biomarker strategies
- Knowledge and experience of a range of target validation methods including CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing and regulatable systems
- Knowledge of small molecule drug discovery methods (industry applicants)
Skills
- Evidence of an ability to carry out high quality research
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written: the ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Ability to undertake independent research and to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team to successfully deliver research projects
- Ability to contribute to the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes in pharmacology or translational medicine within the Institute and Faculty of Medical Sciences.
- Excellent organisational, administrative, and planning skills
- Evidence of an ability to mentor undergraduate and postgraduate colleagues
Experience
- Experience of examining the molecular mechanisms of action of cancer targets and novel cancer therapeutics in preclinical models
- Experience in identifying cancer targets for therapeutic development
- Experience in using a wide range of bioscience methods, including gene-silencing and gene-editing, mammalian cell culture, and methods for the analysis of RNA, DNA, protein, and phenotypic responses
- Evidence of identifying and implementing new technologies and/or methods relevant to a drug discovery programme
- Evidence of developing biomarker endpoints in human tissues and/or blood samples
- A proven track record in publishing high-quality research in internationally recognised journals and presenting work at national and international scientific meetings
- Experience in seeking funding for research or justifying the resources needed for a programme of work in an industrial setting
- Experience of teaching, giving lectures, or providing regular communication updates and making recommendations to senior management in an industrial setting
- Examples of working in collaboration with industrial partners or working on projects with national and international collaborators
- Experience in independently designing, planning, and prioritising experimental work including the management of others (staff and/or BSc, MSc, PhD students)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Role model of the University Values and guiding Principles
- Committed and enthusiastic
- Ambitious but collegiate
- Effective communicator able to motivate and engage students and colleagues
- Commitment to ethical research
- Works in partnership with others and has exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Empathetic to the needs of colleagues and a diverse student body
- Promotes a culture of mutual respect
- Willingness to work flexibly and according to the demands of the programme
- Flexibility to participate in multi-centre collaborations
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a biological discipline or pharmacology
- PhD in cancer research, a biological discipline, pharmacology, or drug discovery
Desirable
- HE Teaching qualification or equivalent experience e.g. Fellowship of the HEA (FHEA)
- Masters qualification in a relevant subject
SENIOR LECTURER LEVEL APPOINTMENT
The Person (Essential)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Knowledge
- Expert knowledge of cancer biology and translational research
- Expert knowledge of target identification, cancer therapeutics, pharmacology, and clinical biomarker strategies
- Expert knowledge of a wide range of target validation methods, including CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing and regulatable systems
- Extensive knowledge of small molecule drug discovery methods througout the different phases of discovery (industry applicants)
- Knowledge of research ethics, good laboratory practice and research governance
Skills
- Excellence in the ability to carry out and deliver high quality research within agreed timelines and meeting project milestones
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written: the ability to communicate complex information clearly (including presentations to academic/non-academic audiences, written outputs)
- Ability to undertake independent research and to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team to successfully deliver research projects
- Ability and significant expertise to lead, and contribute to, the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes in pharmacology or translational medicine within the Institute and Faculty of Medical Sciences.
- Excellent organisational, administrative, and planning skills
- Ability to supervise student research projects at undergraduate and Masters level, and PhD/MD supervision
- Ability to supervise staff
- Proven project management skills
Experience
- Experience of leading research into the molecular mechanisms of action of cancer targets and novel cancer therapeutics in preclinical models
- Experience of leading the bioscience activities and problem solving within teams in academia, biotech and/or large pharma
- Experience in using a wide range of bioscience methods, including gene-silencing and gene-editing, mammalian cell culture, and methods for the analysis of RNA, DNA, protein, and phenotypic responses
- A demonstrated ability of assessing cancer targets for therapeutic development.
- Evidence of developing biomarker endpoints in human tissues and/or blood samples
- Evidence of identifying and implementing new technologies and/or methods relevant to a drug discovery programme
- Examples of driving collaborative research with partners on therapeutically relevant projects
- Track record of success in bidding for and attracting external research funding (appropriate for career stage)
- Excellent record of publications suitable for REF submission
- Record of engagement with national or international research networks, forums, or institutions
- Experience of teaching, giving lectures, module leadership, assessment (internal and external examinations and marking), PhD supervision, and tutoring, or providing regular communication updates and making recommendations to senior management in an industrial setting
- Experience of analysing large datasets
Attributes and Behaviour
- Role model of the University values and guiding principles
- Committed and enthusiastic
- Ambitious – with drive to lead projects to successful outcomes
- Confident communicator
- Works in partnership with others and has exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills
- Promotes a culture of mutual respect and empathetic to the diverse needs of colleagues and students
- Willingness and ability to engage in leadership roles within the institute
Qualifications
- PhD in cancer research, a biological discipline, pharmacology, or drug discovery
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a biological discipline or pharmacology
Desirable
- Fellowship of the higher education academy (HEA) or equivalent qualification for teaching in UK Higher Education
- Experience of supervising or mentoring early career researchers
- Experience of being in an academic or biotech/Pharma leadership role
- Experience of serving on grant-awarding bodies
- Willingness to work flexibly and according to the demands of the programme
- Flexibility to participate in multi-centre collaborations
Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.
The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 18162
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