Research Associate

Research Associate
Division of Cancer & Genetics
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

We are seeking an ambitious and highly motivated Research Associate to join an exciting Cancer Research Wales BATRI–funded translational research project focused on developing next-generation therapeutics for mTOR-driven brain tumours.

This project, “Targeting mTOR-Driven Brain Tumours with Ferroptosis-Inducing Functionalised Nanoparticles” builds on our team’s recent development of a novel ferroptosis-inducing nanoparticle platform. Over the next 2 years, the successful candidate will drive the next phase of development by engineering drug-carrying nanoparticles for enhanced blood–brain barrier transcytosis at Swansea University, improving tumour targeting, and testing therapeutic efficacy in advanced disease models.

A major strength of the project is its highly collaborative and multidisciplinary nature. Working closely with collaborators at Oxford University, the postholder will help establish a patient-relevant brain tumour organoid model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) in Cardiff. This platform will provide a powerful system for mechanistic studies, therapeutic optimisation, and preclinical drug testing.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of brain tumour biology, ferroptosis, biomaterials, nanomedicine, organoid systems, rare disease therapeutics and translational drug development.

We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in advanced cell culture systems, iPSC-derived neural models, organoids and 3D culture, fluorescence microscopy, cell viability and phenotypic assays, gene expression analysis, protein-based molecular assays

Experience in development of carriers for controlled delivery, nanoparticle design, functionalisation, or optimisation would be highly advantageous, although candidates with strong interest in developing expertise in this area are also encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will join an internationally recognised TSC and mTOR signalling research team, contributing directly to experimental strategy, data generation, publication, conference dissemination, and the development of follow-on funding opportunities. The project is designed to generate high-impact translational outputs and offers excellent opportunities for career development, network building, and future fellowship positioning.

The post is based at Cardiff University’s Heath Park campus, with research activity spanning Cardiff University, Swansea University, and a 4-month research placement at Oxford University, providing exceptional exposure to complementary expertise in nanoparticle engineering, neuro-oncology, and advanced disease modelling.

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 Professor Andrew Tee: [email protected]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term until 30 June 2028, and available from 1 July 2026.

Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6).  Appointments are usually made at the bottom of the scale, except in exceptional circumstances.

Closing date: Friday, 19 June 2026

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

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.