Postdoc in Developmental and Cancer Biology in the Arnes Group, University of Copenhagen
Posted by Noami Dayan, on 27 December 2018
Closing Date: 15 March 2021
Postdoc in Developmental and Cancer Biology in the Arnes Group at BRIC, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
The Biotechnology Research and Innovation Center (BRIC) at the University of Copenhagen is seeking to recruit a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Arnes. The position is initially for two years and can be filled early spring 2019.
We are looking for a Ph.D level molecular biologist with a strong background in developmental biology. In our group, we seek to answer fundamental questions in development and cancer using a combination of genetically modified mouse models and in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells .
Our research
Terminally differentiated cells in the pancreas have the plasticity to adopt alternative cell fates through dedifferentiation and reprogramming. This cellular plasticity, although considered a physiological process of tissue homeostasis, renders the tissue susceptible to diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. Cell-type specific regulatory programs maintain the identity and function of mature cell types, and although we have a clear picture of the steady-state transcriptional and epigenetic landscape in development and disease, the molecular regulators of cell fate transitions are not well understood. Our goal is to define the mechanism controlling cellular plasticity in pancreas development and cancer. To achieve this general goal, we focus on the following areas of research:
- Define the dynamic molecular events, with emphasis in non-coding regulatory elements, leading to cell fate transition in development and cancer.
- Identify and characterize functional long non-coding RNAs regulators of cellular plasticity in vivo and in vitro.
- Examine the therapeutic potential of cellular plasticity in regenerative medicine and cancer.
These studies are intended to discover novel molecular markers of tumor progression and targetable molecular mediators of cellular identity to prevent the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer.
Relevant publications and reviews:
Arnes L*#, Liu Z#, Wang J#, Maurer HC, Bommakanti N, Garofalo DC, Balderes DA, Sussel L, Olive KP*, Rabadan R*. Comprehensive characterisation of compartment specific long non-coding RNAs associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gut. 2018 Feb 10. *Corresponding author
Arnes L, Akerman I, Balderes D, Ferrer J, Sussel L. Blinc1 encodes a long non-coding RNA that regulates islet beta cell formation and function. Genes Dev. 2016 Mar 1;30(5):502-7
Arnes L and Sussel L. Epigenetic modifications and long non-coding RNAs influence pancreas development and function. Trends Genet. 2015 Jun;31(6):290-9.
Your profile
The successful candidate must be able to work independently: plan experiments, develop methods and conduct data analysis as well as communicate the results. (S)he will be encouraged to develop her/his ideas within the laboratory goals. (S)he must be able to work independently, as well as collaborate within the group and with other research groups. (S)he is expected to interact with experimental, computational and clinical laboratories in translational studies. (S)he must actively participate in journal clubs, seminars, lab meetings, mentoring of students, etc. in the laboratory, and research activities organized at BRIC and DanStem.
Your qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competences and experience:
- Curious and driven researcher with independent and critical thinking.
- Strong background in tissue culture and molecular biology, genome editing and next-generation sequencing (ChIP-, RNA-, ATAC-sequencing) is mandatory.
- Experience with high throughput screening will be positively evaluated.
- Previous experience in live imaging of tumor progression, in-vivo mouse models of cancer, and bioinformatic analysis of large gene expression datasets is highly desirable.
- Basic knowledge in systems biology and bioinformatics is an advantage and opportunities for further education will be given.
- Publications in the area of gene regulation, transcriptional networks, non-coding RNA is desirable but not mandatory.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
About BRIC
BRIC is a dynamic and international research center. We offer good working and career conditions in an open and collaborative atmosphere. Our state-of-the-art research and core facilities include modern laboratories shared between 25 research groups at BRIC and Finsen Laboratory.
The research groups at BRIC and Finsen are closely collaborating. We have our own PhD programme, MoMeD, a young researchers club ASAP, scientific clubs, a Group Leader forum with regular meetings and Liaison Committee with focus on work environment. On a weekly basis, we have our BRIC-CEHA seminars with invited speakers. To ease the daily administrative tasks for our researchers, the well-functioning administration assists researchers with HR, order and delivery, communication, funding and much more.
Internationally, BRIC actively participates in the European alliance, EU-life, consisting of 13 excellent life science research institutions. This will further strengthen and promote BRIC research and research education programme.
Find out more about BRIC.
Place and terms of employment
The place of employment is at BRIC, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N.
The employment as postdoc is a full time and fixed-term position for 2 years. Starting date is 1 March 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary starts at 33,700 DKK/ approx. 4,500 Euro (October 2018-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.
Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.
The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of 18 September 2015.
Questions
For further information, please contact luis.arnes@sund.ku.dk
International applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk to the university’s International Staff Mobility unit.
Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below and must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications.
Application deadline: February 1, 2019, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
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