Research Fellow in Laboratory and Computational Systems (UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

The Opportunity

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), in partnership with the University of Sussex, is recruiting a Research Fellow in Laboratory and Computational Systems Biology to lead an innovative cancer research project funded by Leukaemia UK.

This role offers a unique opportunity to bridge computational systems biology with experimental laboratory science, developing new insights into blood cancer biology and treatment. You will take ownership of an interdisciplinary research programme, designing computational models, testing predictions experimentally, and translating findings into high-quality academic outputs.

Working within a growing and highly collaborative blood cancer research environment, you will contribute to impactful research that spans in silico modelling, wet-lab experimentation, and clinical relevance.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead an independent, externally funded interdisciplinary research project
• Design and run computational simulations to explore cancer biology and treatment response
• Test computational predictions through laboratory-based experiments
• Integrate published datasets with newly generated experimental data
• Produce high-quality research outputs for peer-reviewed journals
• Present findings at national and international conferences
• Collaborate closely with laboratory scientists, computational biologists, and clinical academics
• Contribute to the wider Sussex Blood Cancer Research community and the Sussex Cancer Research Centre

About You

You will be an ambitious and curious researcher who enjoys working across disciplines and tackling complex biological problems using both computational and experimental approaches.

You will bring:

• Experience in computational biology, systems biology, or coding for biological research
• A strong interest in applying computational tools to real-world medical challenges
• Practical laboratory experience in cancer biology or molecular signalling
• Familiarity with techniques such as flow cytometry, Western blotting, and drug-response assays
• Experience with, or willingness to learn, immunofluorescence imaging, gene expression analysis, and in vivo research
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple experiments and analyses in parallel
• Excellent communication skills, enabling effective collaboration across disciplines and with non-specialist audiences
• You will be comfortable moving between the computer and the laboratory bench, using each to inform and strengthen the other.

About Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is a joint partnership between the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, working closely with NHS organisations across the South-East of England.

BSMS is recognised for excellence in:

• Medical education and training
• Translational and applied medical research
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Equality, inclusion, and sustainability

The School provides a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment where academics, technicians, and professional staff work together to deliver research that makes a tangible difference to patient care. BSMS proudly holds a Gold Athena Swan Award, reflecting its commitment to gender equality and inclusive academic culture.

Why Join Sussex?

Set on a beautiful 150-acre campus adjacent to the South Downs National Park, the University of Sussex offers an inspiring place to work with excellent transport links, including an on-campus train station and extensive cycling infrastructure.

Sussex is a research-intensive, internationally recognised university, driven by collaboration, innovation, and the people who work and study here. Staff benefit from a competitive rewards package, flexible working options, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing and professional development.

Visa and Right to Work Information

This role meets the requirements for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship when appointed full-time at Grade 7.4 and has been assigned an eligible SOC code.

Official UK Government guidance is available here:

• Skilled Worker visa overview
• Skilled Worker eligibility and salary thresholds
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
• Right to work in the UK
• Working in the UK as a researcher
• All work for the University must be undertaken within the UK.

Additional Information

Closing Date: 1 March 2026 (3:59 PM)
Interview Date: To be confirmed

The University of Sussex and BSMS are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Applications are particularly welcomed from groups currently underrepresented in STEMM disciplines. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process are available on request.