Topic

Applications are invited for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Scientist working in the area of CAR T cell development to join a multidisciplinary team focused on methods development and computational biology. The candidate will establish new methods for pooled CRISPR screens and then apply these to find novel ways of reprogramming CAR T cells.

Content and responsibilities

The precise work content depends on the candidates prior experience and interest in what to learn next. Key tasks include cloning, designing and testing NGS protocols, cell culture (co-cultures and hypoxic) and lentiviral work. Experience of immunology and related methods (e.g. FACS) will be of great help.

Furthermore the candidate may engage in single-cell activities, which can include analysis of the data. Basic prior experience of R and Python are helpful for the latter.

You will play a key role in the interpretation, write-up and dissemination of results. The position may involve exchange to collaborators for learning new methods (in particular the nordic EMBL partnership nodes, but also industrial collaborators).

Requirements

The candidate has probably recently obtained, or is about to get, a PhD. Ideally the candidate will have a strength in any of the areas we cover; these include either of human immunology, transcriptomics, epigenetics, microscopy, proteomics and metabolomics (by no means do we expect candidates to have covered all these areas already). Priority is given to anyone who has previously worked with sequencing (library preparation) or has experience with T cell culture. Having ever tried programming in any language will be helpful, but knowledge of cell biology possibly more so. Successful candidates will be motivated and organized, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. A willingness to travel and work with a diverse group of researchers in rewarding and stimulating environments, and the ability to work independently in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, are essential.

Contract

Postdoc funding has been secured for 2 + 2 years. Significant funding for large-scale experiments has been secured. Candidates are interviewed on a continuous basis. In case candidates have similar competence we will favor gender balance in our group.

The location – MIMS, Umeå, Sweden

Our lab is located at Umeå University, and MIMS, a part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. This place has long been a centre of excellence for molecular genetics and pathogen research. Our group takes advantage of this, bringing mechanistic knowledge of disease up to modern scale with high-throughput biology. Umeå is a vibrant town, largely due to the students – international as well as from all over Sweden. Some personal favourites include the Swedish cuisine (gastropubs and microbreweries), over 6 dance styles represented, one of Swedens largest ju-jutsu clubs (among other budo), indoor and outdoor climbing, winter sports, sailing club, etc … Accommodation is affordable. Oh, and don’t worry about the language. The local pub even runs their pub quiz in english, as is the case with many other social activities! No lack of auroras in winter. For some news from Sweden, in english, try out The local.