Postdoctoral position - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University (www.igp.uu.se) has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on cancer, autoimmune and genetic diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently conducted in the following areas: medical and clinical genetics, clinical immunology, pathology, neuro-oncology, vascular biology, radiation science and molecular tools. Department activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala. The department has teaching assignments in several education programmes, including Master Programmes, at the Faculty of Medicine, and in a number of educations at the Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 400 million, out of which more than half is made up of external funding. The staff amounts to approximately 340 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 600 affiliated people.

Project information: Cancer immunotherapy against the PD1/L1 axis has achieved remarkable benefits in patients. However, challenges remain as >80% of patients fail to respond to the treatment. Our research group aims to dissect the resistance mechanisms by elucidating interactions between the human immune system and cancer cells. We focus on studying the negative regulatory mechanisms which cancer cells employ to hamper efficient anti-tumor immunity. In this project, we will develop CRISPR/Cas9-based precise genome editing capabilities to investigate the immune evasion mechanisms in human cancer cells and primary immune cells. The project will identify and investigate novel pathways or drug targets that could enable immune cell-mediated elimination of cancer cells. We believe that this project will provide significant knowledge to advance our understanding and bring benefits to patients who are currently less likely to benefit from immunotherapy. We offer significant training opportunities in translational cancer immunology research through our scientific network in academia and pharmaceutical industry and prioritize individual development of the group members. For more information, please read at https://www.scilifelab.se/ researchers/yumeng-mao/.

Requirements: We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral scientist with a strong research interest in translational cancer immunology and immunotherapy. The candidate should have completed her/his Swedish doctoral (or foreign equivalent) training in cancer immunology, immunology, cancer biology or other relevant areas within three (3) years at the application deadline. In exceptional cases, candidates within 3 months towards their PhD dissertation may be considered. The candidate should have experiences in handling and isolating primary human immune cells and analyzing immune cell phenotype and functions using advanced flow cytometry. In addition, the applicant should have solid experiences in cell and molecular biology techniques such as gene silencing, western blotting, ELISA, PCR, handling of blood products and is familiar with in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate cancer immunotherapeutics. Experiences with scientific software such as Graphpad, Flowjo, EndNote are essential. It is also expected that the candidate should be confident in conducting scientific discussions in English and is willing to collaborate with others as well as working independently.

Merits: It is considered a merit if the candidate has experiences in co-culture models using human cancer cells and immune cells. Hands-on experiences and approved qualifications, eg FELASA, in evaluating anti-tumor immune responses using syngeneic mouse models are also highly valued. Previous publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals as a lead author or oral presentations at international conferences are considered advantageous.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to individual qualifications

Start date: 2020-01-10. 

Type of employment: General temporary employment of two years. 

Scope of employment: 100%

For further information about the position please contact: Yumeng Mao, yumeng.mao@igp.uu.se

You are welcome to apply no later than November 29, 2019. UFV-PA 2019/3647.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.