Research Engineer in Molecular Biology of Colorectal Cancer

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: cancer precision medicine, cancer immunotherapy, genomics and neurobiology, molecular tools and functional genomics, neuro-oncology and neurodegeneration and vascular biology. 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 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

The Vickovic Lab at Uppsala University is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, team-oriented Postdoctoral Researcher to expand wet lab efforts in understanding molecular disease mechanisms. We are interested in developing integrative multi-modal data analysis tools incorporating single cell and spatially resolved omics data, imaging data, clinical phenotypes, variants and genotypes. The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of molecular biology, omics data analysis, workflow optimization, and resource building. 
The Vicković Lab is focused on developing novel “digital pathology” tools to track disease progression with the aim of identifying translatable drug and therapeutic targets in human tissue cohorts. The team leverages technologies including spatial transcriptomics, single-cell sequencing, and machine learning. A particular area of disease focus for the lab is developing tools for spatial genomics that will enable perturbing highly complex interactions in colorectal cancer. In particular, understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic causal determinants of tumor cell states transitions could pave the way to better treatments. Yet, a systematic analysis of such mechanisms is complicated by the necessity to perform, scale and validate functional experiments. In recent years, my team has pioneered several state-of-the-art technologies: (i) an integrated approach for the joint single-cell profiling and organoid modeling of CRC tumors, including matched normal, primary and metastatic specimens; (ii) perturbing those using combinatorial CRISPR large-scale and (iii) reading the spatial tumor microenvironment using high-definition spatial transcriptomics. During this project, the candidate will have the opportunity to work  on genomics-based functional screens with spatial profiling of the CRC microenvironment, in order to nominate the extrinsic and intrinsic determinants of metastatic stem cell plasticity and their state-specific vulnerabilities.

Responsibilities may include:
- Design and implement novel strategies to prepare samples and libraries for multi-omics single-cell, perturbation screens and spatial technology;
- Develop technological workflows for integrating and analyzing spatially resolved DNA- and RNA-seq genotypic data using current state of the art technologies;
- Executes independently at least one project, with oversight from management and contributes to existing lab projects.
- Work closely with experimental and computational colleagues and cores to understand the nature of generated data to provide creative answers to complex biologicals questions;
- Coordinate efforts across multiple organizations;

Position Requirements:
- Relevant MSc degree required, with a strong molecular biology or forensic medicine focus.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of modern molecular biology and/or chemistry tools required, including next-generation sequencing methods; single-cell and spatial genomics, in situ and solid phase PLA
- Experience using automated high-throughput laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, microfluidics, and/or single-cell sequencing equipment is considered a strong plus.
- Ability to work in an independent manner with minimal supervision but having a strong collaborative personality required;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work efficiently in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment required.
- Strong research, problem solving, and communication skills (both written and oral) required, coupled with a strong attention to detail and scientific curiosity.
- Project and team management skills required including but not limited to biospecimen documentation for withdrawal from biobanks; 

Competencies:
Technical and Professional Skills: Consistently demonstrates skills and knowledge relevant for current role; strives to expand the depth and breadth of technical and professional skills; works with a high level of integrity; exhibits focus and discipline; appropriately prioritizes, manages expectations and delivers on commitments.
Collaborative & Communicative: Models collaboration and teamwork; brings out the best in others; effectively works with all levels, internally and externally; respects and embraces diversity of perspective; communicates clearly and listens carefully; uses good judgment as to what to communicate and when to do so.
Adaptable & Innovative: Adaptable and embraces change; develops new insights and pursues improvements and efficiency; fosters exchange of new ideas and willing to challenge the status quo; takes initiative and is solution-oriented; engages in work with passion and curiosity.

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: Sanja Vickovic, sanja.vickovic@igp.uu.se

Please submit your application by 8 may 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1253.

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