Postdoctoral studies in cancer immunotherapy (scholarship) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

The Carlsten group focuses its work around developing new cellular immunotherapies for cancer. As a member in the group, you get a unique opportunity to work in the space between true preclinical science to full translation in the clinical setting. We are now seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual to join the team to elucidate the potential of genetically engineer donor lymphocyte grafts to improve treatment of post-transplant leukemia relapse. The position will offer the chance to at the highest international level generate novel and meaningful insights that can improve the outcome and quality of life for patients with cancer..

Division

The Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM) at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, consists of approximately 90 research fellows and is a nationally leading and internationally competitive environment for studies of the human immune system in the context of malignancy and infectious diseases. At HERM, the groups are part of a highly interactive research environment within basic immune cell biology, cellular immunotherapy along with cellular and molecular regulation of hematopoiesis in health and disease. HERM is also tightly connected with clinical researchers and healthcare teams at several departments of the Karolinska University Hospital, including Center for Hematology, which allows for research involving clinical material and the potential to bring new therapies from bench to bedside. The laboratories at HERM offers state-of-the art cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry and microscopy facilities. The vision is to become one of the leading translational research centers within hematopoiesis and immunity in Europe.

Duties

The project will focus on genetic engineering and manipulation of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) grafts for improved bone marrow homing and leukemia targeting. The aim is to improve the tumor rejection capacity of DLIs while reducing the risk of DLI-induced graft-versus-host disease in non-bone marrow organs. The position provides an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to apply cutting-edge technology and work towards establishing the concept of using genetically engineered DLI grafts for improved therapeutic efficacy with the overall aim of providing proof-of-concepts for clinical translation of the approach. Additionally, an important aspect of the approach is to dynamically track the infused donor lymphocytes in vivo in 3D using a unique cell tracking method established in collaboration with other researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The work will involve cell and molecular biology assays as well as in vivo mouse experiments. The position provides an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to apply cutting-edge technology and excel in the space between bench work, animal work and clinical studies towards establishing new innovative treatment approaches for AML.

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.

For the current position, we are seeking a highly talented and enthusiastic researcher with a Ph.D. degree and a background in immunology and animal work as well as a strong track record. Candidates should have a solid background in immunology and experience from work with xenograft animal models, including the assessment of GvHD. Extensive skills in performing immune assays and adoptive cell transfer into mice and animal imaging are a requirements. Knowledge in tumor immunology, stem cell transplantation and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is strongly preferable. State-of-the-art experience with multiparameter flow cytometry and analysis is key and genetic engineering of lymphocyte, preferably T cells, via viral transduction is a must and with CRISPR/Cas9 and mRNA electroporation is a merit.

The successful candidate should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, organizational skills, and the ability to work productively and dynamically in a team. The latter is key. Self-motivation and the ability to stay on top of the relevant research field is an absolute requirement. Applicants must be able to integrate well into the international and multidisciplinary research environment. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is a requirement.

Location: Greater Stockholm, Flemingsberg.

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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