Job Purpose
You will contribute to a project PRECISION-CSF: A Novel Diagnostic Assay for Personalised CNS Therapy in Childhood Leukaemia led by Prof Chris Halsey and funded by the Little Princess Trust.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, and many patients require chemotherapy administered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to prevent disease recurrence within the brain and spinal cord. While this treatment is highly effective, it can also result in significant long‑term side effects, including difficulties with learning, memory, and cognitive development. To minimise these risks, clinicians need more accurate methods to determine the extent of leukaemia in the central nervous system and to monitor response to treatment, enabling therapy to be tailored more precisely to each patient.
Flow cytometry is increasingly used to detect very small numbers of leukaemia cells in CSF and offers substantially greater sensitivity than traditional microscopy. However, a major limitation is that leukaemia cells rapidly lose viability once CSF samples are collected. Delays in processing can therefore lead to underestimation of disease burden, reducing diagnostic accuracy and creating inconsistencies between centres.
Our research has identified the underlying cause of this problem. Unlike blood, CSF contains limited nutrients and antioxidants, leaving leukaemia cells exposed to metabolic and oxidative stress. We have shown that supplementing these essential protective factors can significantly prolong cell survival in laboratory settings.
This project aims to develop a novel stabilisation fluid that can be added to CSF samples immediately after collection, preserving leukaemia cells until analysis. We will optimise the formulation, assess its compatibility with flow cytometry, and validate its performance using patient samples.
The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the School of Cancer Sciences’ research strategy.
- Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
- Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School of Cancer Sciences/Halsey Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed publications, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
- Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
- Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research or commercialisation.
- Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.
- Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
- Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
- Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
- Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
- Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.
- Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University Strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent
Desirable
- B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in a biological science
Skills
Essential:
- C1 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate
- C2 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
- C3 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach
- C4 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills
- C5 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate
- C6 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
- C7 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
Experience
Essential:
- E1 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of cell culture, flow cytometry and basic laboratory techniques
- E2 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher
- E3 Experience of scientific writing
- E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner
Desirable:
- F1 Evidence of an emerging track record of high-quality research publications in a relevant field
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Prof Chris Halsey (chris.halsey@glasgow.ac.uk).
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 – £37,694 per annum.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available until 31 July 2027.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
- 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
- 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
- 3 A flexible approach to working.
- 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Closing date: 27 October 2026at 23:45
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