PhD-student position in Medical Sciences with a research profile in oncology - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

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This announced position is placed at the Department of Radiation Sciences and also connected to the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular medicine (WCMM) at Umeå University. WCMM in Umeå is part of a national plan for Sweden to regain its leading position in medical research (wcmm.umu.se). Behind the centre stands the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation together with, among others, Umeå University, Västerbotten County Council, the Kempe Foundation and the Cancer Research Foundation in Northern Sweden. Local and national networks within WCMM will be developed, where students are given good opportunities to interact with researchers in their own and other research groups.

Project description

Pancreatic cancer has a very high mortality rate and currently no effective treatment options are available. A unique feature of the disease is the pronounced fibrotic stroma that surrounds tumour cells. This tumour stroma consists of an extracellular matrix (ECM) and fibroblasts, which together provide the cancer cells with important signals that regulate tumour growth. This makes the stroma an interesting target from a treatment perspective, but the lack of knowledge in the complexity of the stroma has hampered the development of drugs targeting stromal interactions. This project will therefore investigate the composition and heterogeneous functionality of the stroma. By utilizing new tissue based RNA sequencing technology, unique subpopulations of fibroblasts will be identified. The functional role of the different subtypes of fibroblasts will be evaluated in mouse models and in three-dimensional organoid based cultures where cancer cells, ECM, and fibroblasts are represented. Inhibitors specifically targeting the fibroblast subtypes that promote cancer growth and impact therapy resistance will then be developed and tested. The overall aim is to identify and explore critical interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding fibroblasts, and to develop new therapy strategies that target the disease by selectively blocking these interactions.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a University degree of at least 240 credits (ECTS), including 60 credits at advanced level, or equivalent levels of education otherwise acquired in Sweden or abroad.

In addition, the applicant should, through university studies or other equivalent education, have gained basic theoretical knowledge in biomedicine or molecular/cell biology, and have good experience of laboratory work, method development, and different biochemical methods of analysis. Practical experience of cell culture and work with mouse models is a merit. The applicant must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, and much focus will be given to the candidate’s potential collaborative skills.

Specific admission requirements

The applicant must be skilled in both oral and written communication in English, and this is evaluated by a presentation of the research plan in English for the supervisor and the postgraduate studies board of the department.

Additional information about the position

Provided by assistant professor Daniel Öhlund, Department of Radiation Sciences/WCMM, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, SWEDEN (E-mail: daniel.ohlund@umu.se).

Application

The application should contain:

1. a cover letter with description of the applicant’s research experience, research interests and motivation for the application,
2. curriculum vitae, including degrees and previous work experience,
3. copy of relevant degrees with certifications,
4. copies of Bachelor/Master thesis work and relevant publications
5. contact information to two reference persons

Your application must be registered in Umeå University e-recruitment system no later than February 16th 2018.

Start date

By agreement

Other information:

http://www.medfak.umu.se/utbildning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/doktorandhandboken/

We are looking forward to receive your application!