PhD student in Cancer Precision Medicine - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PhD student in Cancer Precision Medicine

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 immune therapy, genomics and neuro-biology, molecular tools and functional genomics, neuro-oncology and neuro-degeneration and vascular biology. Department activities are also integrated with the units 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: https://www.uu.se/en/department/immunology-genetics-and-pathology

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Duties
We are looking for a doctoral student with a special interest in the area of cancer precision medicine with a focus on hematological tumors and epigenetic regulation of gene expression.  The candidate will devote most of the time towards his/her research level education. Within this research level education the candidate will mainly focus on studies on epigenetic mechanism and the impact of these for tumor transformation and progression of the tumor clone in two hematopoietic tumors, multiple myeloma and acute leukemia in infants. Mapping of tumor specific genes regulated by modifications on DNA and histons will be identified, validated and functionally tested in patient material as well as in cell lines. The research project includes bioinformatic analysis, mapping by sequencing of DNA and RNA also at a single cell level will be performed for the identification of tumor specific epigenetic signatures. Furthermore functional validation including studies using selective and clinically relevant inhibitors to candidate target genes in vitro and in vivo will be part of the work.

Methods applied in the research project are for the analyses of growth, apoptosis and survival in in vitro and in vivo models of multiple myeloma and iALL and primary patient material, established molecular- and cellbiological strategies (ChIPseq, CUT&Tag, DNA methylation, and RNAseq) to map epigenetic signatures as a result of aberrant modifications on histon and DNA levels and gene expression at a population- and single cell level.

Requirements
We are looking for applications from highly motivated candidates that hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in Medical Science, or have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way. Previous experience in experimental research within the area and methods is highly warranted. A requirement is that the candidate manage well the English language both in written and spoken form.

The application should include CV, copies of the exam and grades, master thesis including publications and a short description of your research interest.

Applications are evaluated according to the following criteria: fulfillment of eligibility requirements, previous experience in work and/or research in related fields, and personal suitability. Selection of applicants will be done by the future tutor for the selected student in consultation with the postgraduate study group of the Department. The Postgraduate Programmes Committee at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine will formally approve the student's admission.

Selection of applicants is made by the supervisor in consultation with the department's postgraduate education group. The doctoral education committee in the discipline of medicine-pharmacy accepts the doctoral student.  Salary placement takes place according to local guidelines at Uppsala University.

The successful candidate will devote most of the time towards his/her research level education. Other service activities within the department, e.g. education and administrative work can be included within the framework of the employment (maximum 20%). The position will be extended with the time devoted to teaching to allow four years of full-time graduate studies.

Additional qualifications
An advantage will be previous experience in bioinformatics analysis in combination with practical experience in cell- and molecular biological methods in the research area.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2024-09-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Helena Jernberg Wiklund, helena.jernberg_wiklund@igp.uu.se

Please submit your application by 15th August 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1573.

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