Researcher - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University 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 500 million, out of which more than half is made up of external funding. The staff amounts to approximately 345 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 700 affiliated people. Feel free to read more about the department's activities here: www.igp.uu.se

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Duties
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 high risk neuroblastoma. 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 researcher with a strong expertise and documented experience in translational cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Priority is given to candidates who had previous work experience in anti-tumor immunity in childhood neuroblastoma. The candidate should have completed her/his Swedish doctoral (or foreign equivalent) training in cancer immunology, immunology, cancer biology or other relevant areas within five (5) years at the application deadline. The candidate is required to 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 must have proven experience in using CRISPR/Cas9 system to modify functions in human cancer and primary immune cells as well as using in vivo mouse models to study the efficacy and functions of cancer immunotherapeutics. It is essential for the candidate to demonstrate solid experience in cell and molecular biology techniques, western blotting, ELISA, PCR, handling of blood products. Experiences with scientific software such as Graphpad, Flowjo, EndNote are also required. It is also expected that the candidate should be confident in conducting scientific discussions and is willing to collaborate with others as well as working independently.

Additional qualifications
It is considered a merit if the candidate has experiences in co-culture models using human cancer cells and primary immune cells. Previous publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals as a lead author or oral presentations at international conferences are considered advantageous. Interest or knowledge on myeloid cell biology is viewed positively too.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position, 12 months. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

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

Please submit your application by 26 April 2022, UFV-PA 2022/1274.

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