Doctoral student within translational cancer research - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research group

The section of translational cancer research and the laboratory of Chris Madsen is looking to hire a PhD student that will work in tight collaboration with researchers from the Clinical Department, NanoLund, Physics Department, and oncologist from the Lund University Hospital. The main focus of the Madsen group, is to understand how cancer spreads through the body (a process called metastasis) as this is responsible for over 90% of cancer-related patient deaths. Metastasis is strongly influenced by the physical and chemical properties of the tumour microenvironment. The group studies how cancer cells move through this remodelled environment and aim at targeting intrinsic mechanisms of cancer cell motility as well as the mechanisms underlying the tissue remodelling. Our group use advanced microscopy to understand metastatic progression and tissue remodelling i.e. using 2-photon microscopy, multispectral optoacoustic tomography and ultrasound. We take a multidisciplinary, integrative approach to perform high quality translational research with collaborative partners world-wide. Click here to read more about our fascinating research.

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

We are hereby looking for a driven doctoral student for work on understanding the biomechanical properties of circulating tumor cells (CTC) during metastasis. The employment is limited to 4 years full time with the desired entry date of August 1, 2020 or by arrangement.

Work duties and areas of responsibility

The aim of the PhD-project is to use micro-fluidics to purify and identify subpopulations of CTCs based on their biomechanical properties. The PhD project is part of an interdisciplinary project and the student will work in collaboration with PhD students and researchers from both the Physics and the Clinical Department, Lund University. The PhD student will work on isolating, maintaining and culturing human CTCs and perform animal studies of their metastatic potential. Other existing tasks within the research group may also be relevant.

Qualifications

The following is required for the employment:

• A Master’s degree in Natural (physical or life science) or Medical Science (Medicine)
• Documented experience in basic cell biology
• Documented experience with basic biochemical assays
• Documented experience with cell culture work (cell lines and primary cultures)
• Documented experience with mouse animal models and animal work
• Knowledge within RNAi gene manipulation
• Knowledge within lenti-viral work

Great emphasis will be placed on personal characteristics. The assignments require that you have the ability to work independently as well as the ability to work well with others in the research group and researchers outside the subject area (eg nanotechnology, physics and clinics in the hospital). In addition, the tasks require the ability to prioritize their tasks and have several collaborations going at the same time.

The following is meritorious for the employment:

• Excellence in basic cell biology
• Excellence with mouse animal models and animal work (FELASA course)
• Excellence in immunohistochemistry
• Excellence in immunocytochemistry
• Excellence in fluorescence imaging
• Excellence in image analysis

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Instructions for the application

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