Research Associate
Division of Cancer & Genetics
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Cardiff University is seeking a talented, meticulous and highly motivated immunologist to work in the Viral ImmunoTherapies and Advanced therapeutics Laboratory (VITAL), in the research team of Dr Carly Bliss. This funding is awarded by Advancing Radiotherapy Cymru (ARC) and Cancer Research UK, and will investigate the potential of adenoviruses to be used as cancer therapies through the activation of T cells.
The development and delivery of immunology-based and virus-based assays will be a key component of the research conducted, with a core focus on antiviral cellular immunity. The project will require the successful candidate to conduct a variety of in vitro and ex vivo assays, including virus transduction assays, irradiation of cancer cell lines, generation/maintenance of T cell lines and organoids, in addition to a number of different T cell assays. The project is centred around the use of cancer patient blood samples, coupled with some patient involvement activities.
Applicants should have a postgraduate degree at PhD level or relevant industrial experience in immunology, including flow cytometry, cell culture, T cell assays and PBMC separation. Previous experience of ELISpot assays, organoid models, sample cataloguing, applying statistics to biological data, and engaging/involving patients in research would also be advantageous.
This post will be based in the Cancer Genetics Building, Heath Park campus.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Carly Bliss– e-mail:
[email protected]
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term until 31 December 2027, and available from 1 August 2026.
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.
Closing date: Monday, 22 June 2026
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We especially welcome and encourage applications from those from under-represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT +, BAME or those with disabilities. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University