Postdoc studies in cutaneous malignant melanoma

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

At the Department of Oncology-Pathology basic, translational and clinical research and educational activities related to cancer is carried out. Approximately 300 people from over 40 nations are currently working at the department. About 30 research groups with various cancer research profiles are involved and we have around 110 PhD students.

Research group

The Department of Oncology-Pathology is searching for a postdoc to work with Dr. Suzanne Egyhazi Brage and Hildur Helgadottir for translational studies to find molecular factors that can predict treatment effect in patients with metastatic melanoma receiving immunotherapy alone or in combination with radiotherapy. More details about the group can be found here.

Description of the project

The main aim of the projects are to identify biomarkers for therapy responses and side effects in tumor tissue and blood samples from patients with advanced melanoma receiving immunotherapies alone or in combination with radiotherapy. In the last decade, several effective treatment regimens have emerged, particularly the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) including anti-PD-1, improving the median overall survival of advanced melanoma. Despite such breakthroughs, advanced-stage melanoma remains a serious challenge since a subset of patients show primary or acquired resistance to the therapy. Within one year, approximately 50% of the patients progress on treatment with the PD-1 inhibitors.

In an ongoing phase II clinical trial we are investigating the immunomodulatory potential of radiotherapy by combining it with anti-PD-1 in anti-PD-1 resistant melanoma patients. Today, treatment with PD-1 inhibitor is still primarily selected as the first line of systemic treatment for metastatic melanoma patients, for its possibility of reaching long-lasting response or even a cure. In addition, there are patients who have to end treatment due to serious side effects. We currently have limited knowledge about which patients will respond well to treatment and which will not benefit from the treatment or have to end the treatment due to side effects. There is therefore a great medical need for increased knowledge about molecular factors (biomarkers) in order to be able to predict treatment results in metastatic melanoma.

Your mission

The postdoc will be responsible for execution of the planned project according to the set goals. The postdoc will generate genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic data from clinical cohorts to obtain further biological understanding of advanced melanoma and identify biomarkers associated with clinical outcome after immunotherapy alone or in combination with radiotherapy.

Your profile

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

The candidate should be capable of generating novel ideas and acquire knowledge independently to develop ongoing projects. It is essential that the postdoc has knowledge and working experience of melanoma in the clinical and the preclinical setting. Previous experience with the most common molecular biology techniques including Sanger sequencing/SNP genotyping, CRISPR/Cas9, western blot analysis and qPCR is also essential.

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. In addition, personal suitability such as collaborative and communicative skills will be a factor in the selection process since close work with other researchers is crucial in order to be able to carry out the projects.

What do we offer?

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Application

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

A complete resumé, 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)

Welcome to apply at the latest Febuary 4th.

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

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