Project assistant

Description of the workplace 

The Department of Immunotechnology is dedicated to research in Life Science, including immunology, oncology, and hypersensitivity/allergy. Our modern premises are located at Medicon Village, which hosts academic researchers, Life Science companies and health care actors. Several key infrastructures are available here, including facilities for spatial omics, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and antibody engineering, as well as NBIS (National Bio-informatics Infrastructure Sweden) bioinformaticians. Application of advanced technology to address complex biomedical challenges has positioned the Department at the forefront of several research areas and generated multiple spin-off companies also located at Medicon Village.

The focus of the position is in the field of immuno-oncology, specifically in head and neck cancer, with particular emphasis on the study of T cells and myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment.

Work duties

The project assistant will be actively involved in the Dendritic Cell Immunobiology research group, led by Professor Malin Lindstedt. The research environment is focused on studies of the composition and function of immune cells in head and neck cancer, with the aim of understanding mechanisms induced by biological drugs and developing biomarker-based methods of relevance to precision medicine. The work involves advanced analyses of both blood samples and tumor material, and the projects will be carried out in close collaboration with Skane University Hospital.

The tasks are mainly:

• Spatial transcriptome analysis of paraffin-embedded tissue using Xenium in situ platform.
• Verification of protein expression by 7-plex immunofluorescence microscopy.
• Bioinformatic analysis of spatial data.
• Preparation of blood samples and analysis by spectral flow cytometry.
• Compilation and reporting of results.

Other tasks included in the position are general tasks to maintain the basic functions of the laboratory. The work involves many contacts with both employees at the department and external partners. Some changes in the tasks are continuously made to adapt them to ongoing research projects.

Requirements

The applicant needs:  

• A minimum of 240 credits in education such as a Master's degree in biotechnology, chemical engineering or nanoscience at university level with a specialization in molecular biology, medicinal chemistry or equivalent.
• You have completed an in-depth study/degree project of 30 credits at advanced level relevant to the subject area or equivalent, and have completed all parts of the program (Civ. ing., MSc or equivalent).
• Good computer skills and experience in working with computer-based documentation and calculations.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Additional requirements

• Education/knowledge and practical experience in immuno-oncology.
• Education/knowledge of myeloid cell biology in the tumor microenvironment.
• Education/knowledge in bioinformatics
• Knowledge/practical experience in the use of R and/or Python.
• Proven experience in statistical analysis and data management.
• Practical documented experience in multiparametric tissue microscopy and spatial tissue analysis.
• Experience in working with immune cells in a sterile environment, performing antibody staining and analysis using flow cytometry.

You are expected to be able to work in a structured and thorough manner, take responsibility for your tasks, have the ability to switch between tasks, have good collaboration skills, good ability to document your experiments, and the ability to adapt your work after the needs of the projects.

Terms and conditions

6-month project position starting according to agreement

Instructions for the application

Applications should include a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how your qualifications match the position. The application should also include a CV, educational qualifications or equivalent and any other information you wish to provide (copies of certificates, details of references, letters of recommendation, etc.)