Postdoctoral fellow in tumor biology

Description of the workplace
The research group, led by Associate Professor Charlotte Rolny, conducts experimental and translational research focused on solid tumors. We are part of the Lund University Cancer Centre at Medicon Village and belong to the Division of Translational Cancer Research within the Department of Laboratory Medicine.
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow with expertise in bioinformatics. The aim is to identify gene signatures predictive of therapy response and to discover novel therapeutic targets for reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)—immune cells that play a key role in the tumor microenvironment. For several years, the group has worked on reprogramming TAMs from a pro-tumorigenic to an anti-tumorigenic state as a potential therapeutic strategy. A recently identified signaling pathway by Rolny and colleagues that controls the tumor-promoting functions of TAMs has opened up new avenues for targeted immunotherapy. The project has a strong translational focus, with therapeutic strategies to be validated in patient material to ensure clinical relevance.

For examples of how the research is conducted, see:
https://www.tcr.lu.se/research-groups/immuno-oncology-group
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38041815/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37142795/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33077599/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27197153/

We offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University

Work duties and areas of responsibility 
The postdoctoral position involves experimental work, data analysis, as well as compilation and interpretation of research results. The project has a particular focus on bioinformatic analyses of data from experimental models and patient data, but tasks may be broadened depending on the project's needs. The postdoc is expected to actively participate in seminars, group meetings, and other relevant research activities, as well as to present the project's progress in line with the overall project plan.

In the role of postdoctoral researcher, you are expected to take responsibility for:

• Identify new targeted therapies that shift macrophages toward an anti-tumorigenic state,
• Map macrophage gene signatures associated with survival, treatment response, and relapse,
• Define tumor microenvironment signatures with potential to predict therapy outcomes
• Analysis of omics data to identify relevant downstream targets,
• Establishing and maintaining contacts with colleagues who can provide expertise and support in the analysis and interpretation of research findings.

Qualifications
Requirements for employment are:

• PhD-degree in molecular biology, tumor biology, bioinformatics, or related field completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision.
  Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier
• Proven research experience with peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Excellent English skills (spoken and written)
• Experience analyzing omics data with relevant tools

We value personal qualities highly. We're seeking a driven, curious, and responsible researcher with strong organizational and communication skills, capable of thriving in a dynamic, international team.

Additional qualifications considered meritorious for the position:

• It is considered an advantage if you have some experience in wet lab work, particularly with techniques such as multiplex staining and spatial transcriptomics.
• Hands-on experience with multiplex immunofluorescence/immunohistochemical staining
• Spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed tissue analysis

Further 
The employment is time-limited to 2 years full-time, with possibly of an extension for 1 more year. The employment is time-limited according to the agreement, "Agreement on limited-time employment as postdoctoral researcher-2022-02-01". Start date is 2025-09-01 or according to agreement.

How to apply
You apply for the position via the University’s recruitment system. The application is to include a personal letter describing how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application is also to include a CV with a list of publications, a general description of previous research work, a copy of your doctoral degree and any other documents to which you wish to draw attention (copies of degree certificates, grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)