Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Dep of Laboratory Medicine, Lund

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The research group

Professor Ewa Sitnicka Quinn's research group is now looking for a postdoc to expand the group with. 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 development of human innate immune cells - NK cells and investigating mechanisms regulating the differentiation and function of these cells during normal hematopoietic development and during hematopoietic malignancies such as leukemia and immune-deficiencies. Please read more about our research here.

This position involves studies using primary human cells, as well as iPSC lines, working as a part of the team with another postdoctoral researcher and a technician.

Within the group we aim to maintain a good working environment based on mutual respect and consideration. We constantly strive to improve the conditions for work, development and participation for all employees.

The employment is a full time position, time limited to two years, regulated by central agreements regarding post-doctoral employments, with the desired access date on January 1st, 2021, or according to agreement.

Work assignments and area of expertise

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

The work duties and responsibilities will involve establishing an ex vivo model to study the development of human immune system cells and characterization of intermediate differentiation stages and their function. The model will be used to identify critical pathways driving and regulating NK cell development and to determine how NK cell development is altered by the disease. To address these questions the ex vivo model will be investigated using multilineage flow cytometry (FACS) to determine NK cell phenotype and function and by gene expression analysis (RNA-sequencing). Critical NK cell regulatory pathways will be investigated using specific knock-down. 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.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the ability to develop and conduct high quality research and also teaching skills will be evaluated as part of the assessment criteria.

Qualifications

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree equivalent to a PhD, within a subject related to the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Qualifications required:

This post requires an extensive knowledge and strong interest in immunology, hematopoiesis and cancer biology and a PhD degree.

  • PhD degree in the field of immunology or hematology or cancer biology
  • Documented training in ex vivo human cell tissue culture
  • Experience as well as extensive training (special courses) in advanced flow cytometry and cell sorting (FACS).
  • Excellent knowledge of blood cell development, immunology and NK cell biology,
  • Expertise in advanced multiparameter flow cytometry (FACS) to identify and characterize different types of hematopoietic cells
  • Experience in cells isolation by FACS sorting
  • Experience in molecular biology techniques including gene profiling analysis
  • Expertise in sterile technique and ex vivo tissue culture including differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors to mature immune cells
  • Experience in evaluation of functional activity of immune cells
  • Experience in working with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
  • Knowledge of relevant computer programs (including Flow Jo, UMAP algorithm, R or Python programming languages) to analyse experimental data and programs to document and display the data is expected
  • Good knowledge of spoken and written English

Emphasis will be held at personal skills and suitability. The assignments require that you have the ability to work independently, have a good ability to collaborate and excellent intrapersonal and communication skills. Applicants must be able to work both independently and in groups.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions for your application

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

Other

The university applies individual salary setting. Please indicate your salary claim in your application.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment January 1, 2021, or according to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/4102
Contact
  • Ewa Sitnicka Quinn, +46462224676
  • Emelie Falck, 046-2220000
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 08.Dec.2020
Last application date 22.Dec.2020 11:59 PM CET

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