Post doctor (2 years) within CAR T cell / CRISPR screening

Umeå University, Medicinska fakulteten

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

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The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 12 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects.

The Department of Molecular Biology is looking for a postdoctoral scientist to work with CAR T cells and CRISPR screening. The position is funded by Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). The position is full-time for two years with access as soon as possible or by agreement.

Project description and working tasks

CAR T cells are T cells genetically programmed to target cancer. Our group is interested in what further reprogramming can help us achieve against disease. To figure this out, we are performing unbiased mapping / systems biology, and CRISPR screening, of CD4+ T cells. We especially build upon previous work on CRISPR screening in mouse (Henriksson et al, 2019, Cell), but are now moving toward human T cells, and more faithful in vitro models.

You will carry out experimental and bioinformatic work, design experiments, present your findings, write manuscripts, help supervising students and actively contribute to a collegial lab culture.

In addition to the T cell project, we collaborate on TBE-related projects. Knowledge about TBE (practical and theory) would further strengthen our group.

You will be based in the lab of Johan Henriksson (www.henlab.org). The Henriksson lab is based at Department of Molecular Biology and is part of The Laboratory of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS, www.mims.umu.se), which is the Swedish node within the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine.

Qualifications

A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate qualifies for employment as a postdoctoral fellow. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave or clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.

You should be highly motivated and able to work productively in a team as well as independently. Excellent communication skills for interacting effectively with senior colleagues and peers are required. Proficiency in written and spoken English also required. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

The successful candidate should have experience in advanced molecular biology (especially cloning, but also rt-qPCR), cell culture and immunology. Furthermore a keen attention to detail and an interest in developing or establishing complex molecular biology protocols. Experience or knowledge of TBE and innate immunity is expected. The candidate should further know basic bioinformatics (pathway analysis, online databases).

Desirable qualifications

Experience in, or aptitude for, learning programming is desirable.

How to apply

A full application should include:

An introductory letter including a 2-page statement of research interests relative to the above topics and a motivation of why your expertise is appropriate for the position.
Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list,
Certified copy of doctoral degree certificate,
Certified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic cources and grades,
Copy of doctoral thesis
Contact information for at least two reference persons,
Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

We do this to ensure that the formal requirements are met and that we then have sufficient information to adequately rank eligible candidates.

The application must be written in English. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The closing date is 8th of November 2021.

We welcome your application!

More about us

The Henriksson lab is part of the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), the Swedish Node of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, and part of the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), an interdisciplinary research centre devoted to top quality research and novel applications in the field of microbiology. You can find more information about us at http://henlab.org/, www.mims.umu.se, www.ucmr.umu.se. For questions regarding the position, please contact the project supervisor: Johan Henriksson (johan.henriksson@umu.se).

For more information about The Department of Molecular Biology please visit our web page www.umu.se/en/department-of-molecular-biology