About the Project
Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to join the Centre for Proteomic Research at the University of Southampton as part of a major Against Breast Cancer (ABC)–funded programme, Deep Molecular Phenotyping of Metastatic Breast Cancer.
This ambitious, interdisciplinary project aims to generate an integrated, multi-omic understanding of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, drawing on high-resolution proteomics alongside complementary omics, clinical data, and dietary and lifestyle information. The overarching goal is to enable improved disease stratification, identify candidate targets for precision therapeutics, and understand how lifestyle factors influence metastatic progression and recurrence.
About the Role
The postholder will play a central role in the generation, management, and analysis of high-quality experimental multi-omics data derived from well-curated clinical breast cancer samples held within the DietCompLyf biobank. You will apply and further develop mass spectrometry–based proteomic approaches, working closely with bioinformaticians to integrate molecular datasets with clinical metadata using advanced computational and systems biology methods, including predictive modelling, classification approaches, pathway analysis, and topological data analysis.
You will be based within the laboratory of Professor Paul Skipp, working closely with colleagues in the Glyco-therapeutics Laboratory and the Centre for Cancer Immunology, and will interact regularly with internal and external collaborators, as well as the project funders and their supporters.
The role also includes responsibility for operating and maintaining specialised instrumentation, maintaining accurate laboratory records, contributing to publications and grant activity, and supporting postgraduate researchers where appropriate.
About You
You will have (or be close to completing) a PhD in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related discipline, with substantial hands-on experience in clinical proteomics, including sample preparation, mass spectrometry data acquisition, and downstream data analysis. You will be comfortable working with complex clinical sample types (e.g. plasma/serum, fresh frozen tissue) and have a strong interest in applying omics technologies to address biologically and clinically meaningful questions in breast cancer.
Experience with quantitative proteomics, disease stratification, and integrative data analysis is essential. Familiarity with additional omics technologies (e.g. RNA-seq), programming languages such as R or Python, and knowledge of breast cancer biology are highly desirable.
You will be organised, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Our Commitment to You
The University of Southampton is a global top-100 university, renowned for its research excellence, interdisciplinary culture, and commitment to societal impact. You will benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, a supportive research environment, generous annual leave, pension provision, and a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Flexible working arrangements will be considered where appropriate.