Postdoc position in cancer systems biology

Uppsala University

Application deadline

March 4, 2022



Postdoc position in cancer systems biology

Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on cancer, autoimmune and genetic diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently conducted in the following areas: medical and clinical genetics, clinical immunology, pathology, neuro-oncology, vascular biology, radiation science and molecular tools. Department activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala. The department has teaching assignments in several education programmes, including Master Programmes, at the Faculty of Medicine, and in a number of educations at the Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 450 million, out of which more than half is made up of external funding. The staff amounts to approximately 345 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 700 affiliated people. Feel free to read more about the department’s activities here: www.igp.uu.se

The SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) is a 12-year initiative that focuses on data-driven research, within fields essential for improving the people´s lives, detecting and treating diseases, protecting biodiversity and creating sustainability. The programme will train the next generation of life scientists and create a strong computational and data science base. The program aims to strengthen national collaborations between universities, bridge the research communities of life sciences and data sciences, and create partnerships with industry, healthcare and other national and international actors. Read more: https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven 

Description of the position
We are searching for a talented and motivated postdoc in data-driven cancer research, in prof Sven Nelander’s laboratory (nelanderlab.org). In the project we will establish and use a new strategy to identify the mechanisms behind brain tumor infiltrative growth. The methodology is based on an innovative combination of massive parallel gene editing and AI-based modeling and promises to deliver more rapid insight into disease mechanisms and treatments.

This position is part of a joint collaboration between the two largest research programs in Sweden, the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) and the SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS), with the ultimate goal of solving ground-breaking research questions across disciplines. 

Your research will comprise the development, optimization and use of computational methods to design and interpret large-scale CRISPR and single cell measurements, and time-resolved image data. We are interested in hearing from candidates with a strong interest in computational biology, for a full-time computational project. We are also open to applications from candidates with successful, advanced experience in CRISPR methodology and / or single cell sequencing, in particular CRISPR-Seq. In such cases, experiments involving innovative in vivo use of CRISPR-Seq will be a key component.

The project is intended to be carried out as a pair of postdoc projects, together with a simultaneously recruited postdoc at GU / Chalmers, who will focus on more mathematical aspects and AI theory. The project thus requires collaboration both with experimental researchers in the environment at UU and with method researchers in the environment at GU / Chalmers. It is an exciting opportunity to build advanced experience of working in an interdisciplinary team. Because DDLS and WASP are major cutting-edge initiatives, active participation in networks connected to the WASP-DDLS community is required.

Requirements
The position requires a Ph.D. degree in a relevant field, for example (i) computational genomics, (ii) bioinformatics, (iii) applied AI / machine learning / high-dimensional statistics, or (iv) advanced CRISPR applications. The job requires a documented excellent ability to work in an interdisciplinary team where experimental and computational expertise is combined. The job requires documented advanced knowledge in one or more of (i) programming / mathematics, (ii) applied analysis / interpretation / visualization of big data, (iii) CRISPR-seq / adjacent areas; a weighted assessment is made of i, ii and iii, with special regard to the conditions for carrying out a successful pair project within DDLS-WASP collaboration. Background knowledge in biology of relevance to the project is a requirement. The job requires excellent skills in written and verbal communication. Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability and long-term academic potential.

The Ph.D. degree must be completed no later than at the time when the employment decision is made. Those who have graduated no more than three years ago should be considered in particular. When calculating the time-frame of three years, the starting point is the last application date. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been taken earlier. Special reasons include illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, etc.

Other merits of interest
Documented advanced experience of CRISPR-seq and adjacent areas (gRNA design, barcode-scRNAseq, CRISPR); Bioinformatics in the area of cancer genomics, neuro-oncology, or nervous system Documented advanced knowledge in tumor biology, neurooncology, neural developmental biology, molecular biology and adjacent areas. Documented knowledge in AI / big data.

About the position
Full-time appointment during 2 years, with possibility of extension of 1 more year. Starting date according to agreement, from April 1, 2022. Placement: Uppsala.

For more information, contact: Prof Sven Nelander, sven.nelander@igp.uu.se, 076-1380123.

Welcome to apply, no later than March 4th, 2022, UFV-PA 2022/98.

Last updated: 2022-02-10

Content Responsible: David Gotthold(david.gotthold@scilifelab.se)