Postdoctoral scientist

Human Haemogenic Endothelium And T-Cell Development

Duration: 3-year fixed term

About the role:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist to join the Stem Cell Biology group led by Prof Georges Lacaud. The group aims to improve outcomes for patients with leukaemia and other cancers by identifying therapeutic opportunities and developing robust approaches for the in vitro generation of blood and immune cells for cellular immunotherapy and transplantation. Autologous CAR-T cells have transformed the treatment of some leukaemias, but current therapies remain expensive, complex to manufacture and tailored to individual patients. Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) offers a promising route to scalable, off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapies; however, progress is limited by our incomplete understanding of early human T-cell development. The central question of this project is how human haemogenic endothelium gives rise to pro-T-cell progenitors and how these progenitors acquire the capacity to generate αβ and γδ T cells. The programme will define the mechanisms controlling the emergence and developmental potential of pro-T-cell progenitors and use this knowledge to improve their generation in vitro.

You will establish and use experimental models of human blood and immune development to investigate how pro-T-cell progenitors emerge and how intrinsic regulatory programmes and environmental signals shape their developmental potential. The project will integrate cellular, molecular and functional studies with high-throughput compound screening to identify pathways and interventions that enhance T-cell specification, alongside single-cell profiling and computational modelling. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will generate and experimentally test mechanistic hypotheses about early human T-cell development. The discoveries may support more efficient production of PSC-derived T cells for cellular immunotherapy and provide insight into altered differentiation and lineage plasticity in blood cancers.

About you:

You will have a PhD in stem cell biology, developmental biology, haematology, immunology, cancer biology, molecular/cellular biology or a related discipline. You should have substantial experience in mammalian cell culture and molecular or cellular experimentation, together with strong skills in experimental design, quantitative data interpretation and scientific communication. Experience in human pluripotent stem cells, developmental haematopoiesis, T-cell biology, flow cytometry, high-throughput screening, genome engineering, single-cell approaches, computational analysis or in vivo models would be advantageous, but we welcome applicants with complementary expertise who are keen to enter this field. You will be scientifically curious, rigorous, proactive and collaborative, with the ability to develop independent ideas while contributing positively to a multidisciplinary team.

Why choose Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute?

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk), an Institute of The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk), is a world-leading centre for excellence in cancer research. The Institute is core funded by Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org), the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world. In spring 2023 the Institute moved into a £150 million flagship purpose-built biomedical research centre directly attached to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (www.christie.nhs.uk), in South Manchester.

We are partnered with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. These factors combine to provide an exceptional environment in which to pursue basic, translational and clinical research programmes.

How to apply?

Informal enquiries: Prof Georges Lacaud, email: georges.lacaud@cruk.manchester.ac.uk

Closing date: Sunday 4 October 2026, 6pm