Research Fellow - Department of Cardiovascular Sciences - 108034 - Grade 7

Position Details

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2031

Closing date: 20th October 2026

There are 2 positions available

Background

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is the process by which tumour cells imitate blood vessels allowing tumours to grow far more aggressively and independent of a traditional blood vessel network. We have found this process to be abundant in paediatric soft tissue sarcomas (particularly Rhabdomyosarcoma RMS), driven by developmental plasticity and enriched in relapsed and metastatic cases where there are few effective treatment options and 5-year survival below 20%.

The Wragg group is looking for an exceptional candidate to work on a 5-year UKRI Medical Research Council funded project to define the mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry in RMS, identify therapies that modulate VM and understand their mechanisms and Develop VM-targeted therapeutics. The project combines in vitro and in vivo tumour and blood vessel modelling, tissue histology, advanced imaging, single cell transcriptomics and bioinformatics approaches.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers across the College of Medicine and Health in cancer and genomic, cardiovascular and metabolic sciences, as well as national and international collaborators with opportunities for personal and professional development within research leadership, teaching and fellowship mentoring.

Role Summary

• To design, perform and record experiments that inform this area, including developing new methodologies.
• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism and develop ideas beyond that area.
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Support other members of the research group and work with lab members towards publications and long-term projects.
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar).

Main Duties

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Bring the ability to invent new, or adapt existing, methodologies.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data, recommend next steps within the context of current literature.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Keep accurate, comprehensive and clear records.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff
• Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures

Person Specification

• Essential: A PhD relevant to the research area (or near completion), or equivalent PhD level qualifications.
• Essential: Demonstrable research experience, or detailed knowledge of, tumour microenvironment modelling, particularly relating to tumour vasculature.
• Essential: Proficient skills in cell culture, 3D and co-culture assays, confocal microscopy and transcriptional profiling.
• Essential: Evidence of having developed or invented new methods and the ability to learn new approaches outside of current expertise.
• Desirable: Completion of PIL-A/B training by the Home Office and experience of in vivo modelling in zebrafish and/or mice.
• Desirable: Previous publication(s) as first author, presentations (talks or posters) at national or international conferences.
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010. Including fostering good relations and advancing the universities Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Joseph Wragg, email: ***email_hidden***

Use of AI in applications:  We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .