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.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop computational pipelines for processing and analyzing spatial transcriptomics and multiplex imaging datasets.
• Integrate imaging-based spatial data with transcriptomic and other multi-omic datasets for advanced biological insight.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, clinicians, and data scientists.
• Design, test, and optimize data visualization tools for spatial and single-cell data.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and grant applications.
• Maintain well-documented, reproducible code and share data/tools when appropriate.

Qualifications
Requirements for employment are:

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related quantitative field.
• Demonstrated expertise in spatial transcriptomics data analysis (e.g., Vizgen/MERFISH, Xenium, CosMx, 10x Visium/HD, Slide-seq).
• Experience working with multiplex imaging technologies.
• Strong programming skills in at least one scientific programming language.
• Solid understanding of statistical methods, machine learning, and/or image analysis pipelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Publication record demonstrating the ability to conduct and disseminate independent research.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications

• Experience integrating multimodal omics datasets (single-cell RNA-seq + spatial + imaging + proteomics).

Additional qualifications for the position are:

• It is considered an advantage if you have some experience in wet lab work, particularly with techniques such as multiplex staining and spatial transcriptomics.

Further information

The position is a fixed-term appointment for 2 years, with the possibility of extension up to 3 years, start date of 2026-02-01, or as agreed upon.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a postdoctoral position, the applicant must have obtained a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent, in a subject relevant to the position (i.e., biology, biomedicine, medicine, chemistry). The degree must have been awarded no more than three years before the date of the employment decision. Exceptions may be made if there are special circumstances.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via the university’s recruitment system. The application must include a cover letter describing how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. It should also include a CV with a list of publications, a general description of previous research work, a copy of your doctoral degree certificate, and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of diplomas, transcripts, references, letters of recommendation, etc.).