Postdoctoral studies in spatial multi-omics (scholarship). - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to state-of-the-art medical research?

Our group in translational childhood cancer research is part of the Division of Pediatric Oncology and Pediatric Surgery at the Department of Women's and Children's Health at Karolinska Institutet, and is based at BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital in Solna. This is a novel project led by Dr. Shahrzad Shirazi Fard, who is part of a larger research group led by Dr. Nikolas Herold. Many novel treatments elicit response in a fraction of patients, but without adequate incorporation of marker selection strategy, it is not possible to decipher which of the patients will benefit from the treatment. Therefore, we want to understand why patients with the same diagnosis respond differently to the same treatment, and to find targeted treatments and reduce the risk of therapy resistance and relapse.

Division

Most solid tumours contains hundreds of different cell types that serve essential functions and are subject to regulation by their spatial position and neighbors. Important, disease formation, progression, and treatment response may be governed by unique cellular associations within tissue. We have previously mapped the immune cell landscape of neuroblastoma, showing a highly complex interactive network (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35688160/).

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common childhood malignancies, accounting for 8% of pediatric cancers, and 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. In order to improve outcome, we aim to decipher the complicated interplay between tumour cells and the cells of the tumour microenvironment (including the immune cell landscape). We do so by establishing a comprehensive framework of spatial multi-omic techniques targeting DNA, RNA and protein coupled with advanced analytical approaches enabling us to investigate consequences of heterogeneity for the progression into refractory disease.

We are a small team working in a highly collaborative field with other researchers at Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, and The Royal Institute of Technology (SciLifeLab). The research will be done in collaboration with our partners at SciLifeLab (Solna) with focus on the development, validation, and implementation of novel spatial multi-omics techniques. Within this collaboration, we offer a strong opportunity for development of high-tech techniques, for scientific development and to network with prominent researchers.

We offer a full time (100%) 1 year position with a postdoctoral scholarship with possibility of extension starting as soon as possible.

Duties

The overall goal of the new project is to gain an increased understanding of the tumor microenvironment and the factors that affect how the patient responds to the (cytotoxic/x) treatment. In the long run, this can contribute to the development of individualized treatment protocols, based on spatial multi-omics analysis. In addition to these project-specific clinical goals, the study is an important piece of the puzzle in the long-term goal of mapping the spatial principles that guide how tumour cells respond to treatment, while providing a comprehensive repertoire of tools for studying tumour architecture.

Your role is to utilize and validate the use of novel spatial multi-omics techniques in biopsies and cell lines derived from the pediatric tumour neuroblastoma. Thereby aiming to demonstrate the benefits of multiplex immunofluorescence for tissue diagnostics in clinics and future precision medicine.

Your profile

Applicants should have:  

• experience and documented work in image processing (preferred multiplexed immunofluorescence) are requirements.
• prior experience in spatial multi-omics techniques is highly appreciated.
• excellent programming skills in for example R or MATLAB
• experience in laboratory work with cells and/or tissue is a merit.

To succeed in this role, it is important that you are a team-player with social skills and good communication skills. At the same time, the project requires that you have a strong drive and problem-solving ability and can independently drive the project forward. You should be curious and have an interest in technology development and for the overall goals of implementing spatial multi-omics in the clinic. It is important that you have a good pedagogical ability as well as scientific skill.

The working language is English, and the applicant is expected to be proficient in both spoken and written English. You should have documented experience of both writing and presenting science in English. Good knowledge of Swedish is a merit. We are looking for a responsible and enterprising person who is flexible and educational. The workplaces high demands on accuracy, planning ability, and a structured approach.  A genuine interest in research, good collaboration, and communication skills as well as the ability to work independently as well as in a team is important for this position. We attach great importance to personal suitability. Experience in writing scientific articles is a merit.

https://medarbetare.ki.se/people/shahrzad-shirazi-fard

https://ki.se/kbh/barnonkologi

Entry requirements

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: Solna

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.

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