Postdoctoral studies in Immuno-Oncology and the Tumor MicroEnvironment (scholarship), Karolinska Institutet

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The successful postdoctoral candidate will explore novel strategies to reprograme Tumor-Associate Macrophage (TAM) tumor-driving phenotypes in experimental tumor models and patient samples in the research group headed by Charlotte Rolny. The research group has longstanding experience in the field of the tumor microenvironment field, and is a member of the  Swedish Tumor Microenvironment Program and the Breast Cancer Theme Center.

The research is conducted within an interdisciplinary framework at the Department of Oncology-Pathology, fostering an environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. Moreover, the research group maintains robust partnerships with clinical counterparts, as well as national and international research collectives.

TAMs are plastic cells exhibiting states and phenotypes spanning from anti-tumor/immunostimulating (sometimes referred to as M1-like) to pro-tumor/immunosuppressive (also denoted M2-like). We previously showed that TAMs located in the vicinity of tumor vessels (perivascular TAMs) promote vessel abnormalization and fuel metastatic dissemination. Our published and preliminary data suggest the relevance of such TAMs also in human cancers as their accumulation correlates with increased malignancy and metastasis. Furthermore, pro-tumor TAMs drive tumor growth by suppressing tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) that target tumor cells. Therefore, TAMs can play diverse and critical roles in cancer. Yet, current knowledge of how such distinct TAM phenotypes manifest is limited. Over the years, Rolny and co-workers, have showed that reprograming of TAM pro-tumor phenotype into an anti-tumor phenotype is a valid anti-cancer strategy.  We have now pinpointed a unique pathway that regulates TAM pro-tumor functions that may pave way for development of novel anti-cancer targets.The postdoctoral project will explore candidate targets for reprogramming TAMs in experimental models as well as patient samples.

For examples of how the research can be conducted, please see:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37142795/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33077599/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30384135/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27197153/

Division

The Department of Oncology-Pathology conducts basic, translational and clinical research and educational activities related to cancer.  The research group has longstanding experience in the field of the tumor microenvironment field, and is a member of the  Swedish Tumor Microenvironment Program and the Breast Cancer Theme Center.

Duties

We are actively seeking a motivated and creative postdoctoral candidate who possesses an interest in investigating the drivers behind the pro-tumoral functions of TAMs. This research endeavor will encompass cutting-edge molecular biology techniques, animal tumor models, and patient samples. The candidate should be capable of generating novel ideas, acquire knowledge independently and possess sufficient computational skills to evaluate and develop ongoing projects. It is preferable that the applicant has a background in tumor biology. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Because of the scope of the project, knowledge and experience in animal work, flow cytometry analysis and confocal microscopy imaging is strongly desired.

Entry requirements

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: Solna

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.

Send in your application at the latest 20^th September.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

First day of employment: Up on agreement
Salary: semi anually
Reference number: STÖD 2-3186/2023
Contact:

1. Charlotte Rolny, charlotte.rolny@ki.se

Union representative:

1. Helen Eriksson, OFR, helen.eriksson@ki.se
2. Henry Wölling, Seko, henry.wolling@ki.se
3. Per Hydbring/Nick Tobin, SACO, per.hydbring@ki.se/nick.tobin@ki.se

Published: 2023-08-23
Last application date: 2023-09-20