Postdoctor within lymphoid development and regulation - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research group

The broad research interest of the group is to identify cellular and molecular pathways during development of cells of the immune system (in mouse and in human). The gained knowledge could lead to a better understanding of hematopoietic disorders such as immune-deficiencies, myeloproliferative disease and leukemia. The research focus of this postdoctoral research position is to study the impact of leukemia on the immune system, specifically on the development of the innate immune cells - NK cells and investigating mechanisms responsible for the malignant cells escape from immune-surveillance.

Within the research group, we safeguard a workplace that is experienced as evolving and stimulating for all employees.

We are hereby seeking a driven postdoctoral fellow to work with animal models and human cells and work as part of the team with another postdoctoral fellow and a research engineer. The position is full-time for two years according to a central agreement on a fixed-term employment as a postdoc. The desired date of admission is March 2, 2020 or by agreement.

Work duties and areas of responsibility

This research project is focused on hematopoiesis, early stages of lymphoid development and regulatory pathways. The work will involve studies of mouse and human lymphopoiesis with focus on NK cell development.

The work duties and responsibilities will involve characterization of the changes within the pool of immune system cells and their function during the onset and progression of leukemia. To address this the mouse leukemia model will be investigated using multilineage flow cytometry (FACS), transplantation, and gene expression analysis. Identified pathways involved in the disease-induced immune defects will be used as targets for therapy to restore NK cell activity and function. In addition, by applying induced pluripotent stem cell technology (iPSC) and gene editing, human pre-leukemia model will be established and characterized. Other other duties within the research group may also be relevant.

Qualifications
By postdoc is meant a worker who has completed a doctoral degree or has a foreign degree that is deemed to correspond to the doctorate degree, and who graduated a maximum of three years before the end of the application period. If there are special reasons, the doctoral degree may have been passed earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, trust assignments within trade unions or other similar circumstances.

When hiring as a postdoctoral fellow, the following assessment basis applies:

• Good ability to develop and carry out good quality research and educational ability. When hiring as a postdoctoral student, scientific ability must be taken into account.

Otherwise, the assessment is made on the basis of the following requirements for employment:

• A PhD in the field of immunology, hematology or cancer biology
• Special courses in animal handling and advanced flow cytometry and cell sorting (FACS).
• Documented experience of working with mouse models (breeding, genotyping, monitoring and maintaining disease, taking samples from different tissues, performing injections).
• Good knowledge of blood cell development, immunology and NK cell biology.
• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques including gene profiling analysis.
• Experience in using advanced multi-parameter flow cytometry to identify and characterize different types of hematopoietic cells.
• Knowledge of cell isolation through FACS sorting.
• Expertise in sterile technology and tissue culture including in vitro differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors to mature immune cells.
• Experience of working with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).
• Good knowledge of English, both written and oral.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal characteristics. The assignments require that you have the ability to work independently and in collaboration with others. In addition, the tasks require you to have a good communication ability and to be able to prioritize your work.

Meritorious for the position:

• Documented experience in the use of relevant computer programs.
• Documented experience in documentation of experimental data.

Instructions for the application
The application must contain a personal letter describing how you fulfill the required qualifications, a CV and a diploma.