Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Professor David Lewis/Thomas Bird

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Professor David Lewis/Thomas Bird

Developing a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Subtype‑Specific PET Radiotracer for Preclinical PET Imaging

Salary: from £37,000 to £42,893 subject to experience, plus relocation allowance and visa costs if required.

Contract term: Fixed up to 6 years, subject to successful review at Year 3

About us

The CRUK Scotland Institute is a cancer research institute, situated in Glasgow with approximately 250 researchers split across 30 research groups consisting of PIs, postdoctoral scientists, PhD students and scientific officers. It is one of Europe's leading cancer research centres, supporting cutting-edge work into the molecular mechanisms of cancer development. As well as core support from Cancer Research UK, the Institute also receives an additional third of its total income from external grants and industry collaborations. It has an excellent reputation for fundamental cancer research, including world-class metabolism studies and renowned in vivo modelling of tumour growth and metastasis.

Project outline

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous and often treatment‑resistant cancer, with no clinically validated biomarkers to guide patients toward the most effective targeted therapies. A clinically important HCC subtype driven by activation of the canonical Wnt/β‑catenin pathway is strongly immune evasive and frequently resistant to immunotherapy. Despite its significance, this subtype cannot currently be reliably identified using genetic profiling alone.

This Jules Thorne funded programme brings together a multidisciplinary team to develop the first subtype specific precision approach for HCC. The project integrates metabolic biomarker discovery and validation, state of the art GEMMs and patient derived organoid models, clinical sample analysis from prospective patient cohorts, and advanced radiochemistry and metabolic PET imaging. Together, these approaches aim to establish the first subtype specific therapeutic strategy for early phase HCC clinical trials.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist to contribute to the development of a PET imaging probe targeting glutamine synthetase (GS), a downstream effector of canonical Wnt/β catenin signalling, to detect this tumour subtype in vivo. This project builds on the recent discovery of a noncanonical enzymatic function of GS (Villar et al., Nature Chemical Biology, 2023). The successful candidate will work on radiotracer synthesis, preclinical PET/MRI imaging, and ultimately clinical translation.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent research for radiolabelling and characterisation of C‑11 PET tracers, including synthesis, purification, and analytical quality control.
• Perform in vitro validation of tracer uptake, specificity, and stability in relevant HCC models.
• Carry out preclinical PET/MRI imaging using established murine liver cancer models to assess metabolic changes.
• Perform quantitative analysis of imaging and ex vivo validation datasets.
• Support translational and GMP‑aligned radiochemistry activities in preparation for future clinical application.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including oncologists, immunologists, and imaging experts, to drive the research programme forward.
• Prepare high-quality research manuscripts and present findings at national and international conferences.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• PhD (or near completion) in radiochemistry, chemistry, cancer biology, molecular imaging, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline.
• Experience in PET radiochemistry, tracer handling, or working with radioisotopes.
• Experience in laboratory based experimental research, such as cancer biology, molecular imaging, analytical chemistry, or radiotracer validation.
• Ability to work independently, manage experimental workflows, and proactively drive research progress.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary environment.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with murine in vivo cancer models.
• Background in cancer metabolism.
• Familiarity with preclinical imaging (PET/MRI) workflows, pharmacokinetic analysis, or image quantification.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge translational cancer research programme, with the potential to make a meaningful impact on clinical patient management. If you are passionate about radiochemistry and advancing our understanding cancer metabolism, we encourage you to apply.

Postdoc support

Postdocs are key members of our research community, and we offer them a range of opportunities to train and develop as researchers while they are with us:

• Exciting, innovative cancer research projects in state-of-the art labs
• A highly collaborative and interactive research environment
• Access to and training in key advanced technologies, for example imaging and in vivo modelling
• A mentor enabling scheme to aid personal and professional development

• A rich programme of scientific exchange through seminars, workshops and meetings

• Support to make fellowship and small grant applications, including during their transition to their next position
• Guidance and mentoring to compete for an independent scientist position as well as a multitude of other career options, including in industry.
• A highly engaged postdoc forum, providing peer support, training, careers advice and regular social events

For informal enquiries, please email Professor David Lewis (David.Lewis@glasgow.ac.uk) / Thomas Bird (t.bird@crukscotlandinstitute.ac.uk)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our vision is to build and maintain a diverse and inclusive research culture based on our shared values of Innovate, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence. These values, which underpin our behaviours and everything we do, allow all our people to realise their full potential. The diversity of our staff and students is also what makes the Institute such a vibrant place to work and advance discoveries in cancer research. Family friendly policies, our collaborative ethos, a focus on good mental health and well-being and opportunities for all help to create an enjoyable and inclusive workplace where your voice matters.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 40.5 days annual leave including bank holidays (FTE)
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Free life assurance scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Additional maternity pay for 6 months at full salary
• Shared parental leave including up to 6 weeks paid at full salary
• Cycle to work scheme saving tax and NI on cycle purchase and spreading repayments over up to 12 months
• Access to employee benefit schemes with discounts on supermarkets, cinema, travel and much more.
• On-site secure parking

Closing Date: 8th March 2026