Postdoc in Experimental Oncology

Description of the Workplace

Cancer arises through a series of changes in the genetic material of previously completely normal tissue. Through these genetic changes, cancer cells can evade the strict control on growth and form a tumor. New studies emphasize the importance of communication between tumor cells and the surrounding tissue for cancer to develop at all. Various cell types in the tumor's environment assist tumor cells by providing a variety of factors that facilitate their formation, growth, and spread. The research group Experimental Oncology at the Division of Translational Cancer Research seeks fundamental knowledge about different cell types that together constitute a tumor, and how these cell types communicate with each other to stimulate cancer growth and spread. The assurance is that with more knowledge of this kind, we will be able to find new ways to treat tumor diseases.

The research group Experimental Oncology is led by Professor Kristian Pietras, who is affiliated to the national technological resource SciLifeLab as a group leader, and who has an excellent track record in conducting fundamental research that has been translated to clinical studies.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 

The successful candidate will be offered a position in a groundbreaking, international and creative research environment that conducts studies with a basic, translational and clinical focus. 

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

Work duties and areas of responsibility

The candidate will conduct studies on solid tumors using advanced mouse models and human research preparations to investigate the interactions between malignant cells and their microenvironment using cutting-edge technologies.

Qualifications

Requirements for the employment are:

• You are required to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent international qualification.
• Documented experience through publications in excellent journals of research on the tumor microenvironment.
• Previous experience of state-of-the-art cell and tumor biology methodologies, tissue analysis with histopathological techniques, and work with genetically engineered mouse models of cancer.
• Previous experience of conducting and analyzing experiments utilizing single cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and highly multiplexed immunostaining.
• The necessary formal education to conduct animal studies according to EU legislation.
• Demonstrated excellent proficiency in oral and written communication in English.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team, with strong collaborative skills.

Additional qualifications for the position are:

During the selection process, special emphasis will be placed on relevant competences (as detailed above), academic qualifications, international experience, initiative, communication skills, and personal suitability.

Further information

This is a full-time employment limited to 2 years, with a possible extension for up to one additional year. 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 researcher'), dated February 1^st, 2022. Starting date is September 1^st 2025 or by agreement.

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. This eligibility requirement needs to be met no later than the time when the employment decision is made, and evidence that this requirement is met needs to have been sent in by this time at the latest. Candidates should have completed their PhD degree no more than three (3) years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. These circumstances refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical work, positions of trust within trade union organizations or other similar circumstances.

How to apply

The position is applied for via the university's recruitment system. The application must include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position matches your qualifications. The application must also include a CV, a doctoral degree certificate or equivalent, contact details for 2 references (one of whom should be the main supervisor for the doctoral studies), and any other information you wish to include.