Postdoctoral fellow in nerve-tumor interactions

Applications are invited from highly motivated individuals interested in a multidisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship project on nerve-tumor interactions. The project probes the molecular links between nerves and tumors leading to nerve plasticity (such as growth and remodelling), tumor growth and metastasis via nerves (perineural invasion) – processes which occur in a wide range of solid tumors throughout the body. You will engage in a systematic strategy to identify these mechanisms by (i) examining how nerves form/grow/remodel and migrate normally during embryo development, (ii) in vitro tumor cell models and (iii) in tumor mouse models.

The fellowship has been funded from the Kempe Foundation for 2 years and is available from 2023-11-01 or upon agreement.  The laboratories research (Wilson), which is based at the Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå University, Sweden, focuses on understanding the biology of the nervous system during development and disease (https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/sara-wilson/). IMB focuses on questions in basic and medical sciences and provides an international, modern environment with easy access to good core facilities. The working ‘day to day’ language in the laboratory and research environment is English.

Requirements:

• Individuals with a background in either cancer biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, molecular biology or cell biology with a keen interest in cancer and developmental neuroscience are encouraged to apply.
• Having a doctorate or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area by the start date is a requirement of the fellowship. Priority is given to applicants who graduated within three of the application deadline or who graduate by the start date.
• It is necessary to be proficient in written and spoken English and have good laboratory and communication skills.
• The successful candidate will have a high level of motivation, be organized, rigorous, curious and have the ability to work both independently and within a team.

Other skills which are advantageous:

• Experience with mouse tumor models, mouse handling and/or cell culture is advantageous.
• Experience in at least some of the following will also be positively evaluated: Mouse genetics, cell migration techniques and analysis, neurite outgrowth assays, imaging, bioinformatics, tissue dissection, histological techniques, molecular biology, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, vertebrate embryonic model systems.

How to apply: Send your application as a single pdf file, marked with the reference number FS 2.1.6-1389-23 both in the document and in the subject line of the email, to medel@diarie.umu.se. The deadline is September the 4^th 2023 and applications will be processed after the closing date. Your application, which can be written in either English (preferably) or Swedish, is to include:

• A short cover letter (not more than 1 page) to include a description of your research experience, suitability for the position and motivation to apply to this project.
• Curriculum Vitae including publication list, technical expertise.
• Names and contact information for three referees.

Enquiries: For informal enquiries, you are welcome to contact the head of the laboratory Associate Professor Sara Wilson sara.wilson@umu.se, Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Sweden.

We look forward to your application!