The Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) Seeks a “Postdoctoral position at the Prostate Cancer Translational Research Group”
Reference: Ref. 2024-041-01
Application deadline: until the position is filled.
Number of vacancies: 1
Job description:
The Prostate Cancer Translational Research Group is seeking a Postdoctoral fellow to join our lab. Our group mission is to improve advanced prostate cancer management through a better understanding of tumour response and resistance mechanisms and by correlating clinical and molecular data to advanced towards a more precise patient care.
We aim for integrate research in molecular and cellular biology, in vivo models, Omics methods, computational sciences and clinical data to improve prostate cancer care. To that end, our team is composed by biomedical scientists, bioinformaticians, medical oncologists and clinical data specialists. Most of our projects have a shared goal: understanding how tumor evolves under therapeutic pressure, and how this evolution can create additional targetable vulnerabilities.
Find more about our research here: https://www.vhio.net/prostate-cancer-translational-research-group/
The successful candidate will play an integral role in a new project studying changes at molecular and cellular level in the tumor compartment upon exposure to systemic therapy, with a prime interest in how AR inhibition re-shapes the tumor microenvironment and modulates immune cell activation. To develop novel targeted immune approaches, we aim to study the interaction between tumoral cell adaptation, expression of MHC molecules and immune checkpoints and T-cell activation.
The research will leverage T-cell engaging in vitro models, antigen-specific humanized patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), syngeneic murine models and analysis of patient samples collected from the different clinical studies that our group runs at the Vall Hebron Hospital.
- Lead the design and conduction of experiments investigating the impact of systemic therapy in the tumor microenvironment compartment.
- Set up of methods for studying T-cell modulation in-vitro and in PDX models, which would require of humanization protocols. Immune profiling of syngeneic models following therapy
- Leverage transcriptomics data obtained from murine models and patient samples, aiming to synergize with other projects of the group leveraging scRNAseq/spatial transcriptomics in mouse and human samples.
- Engage in training of students.
- Manuscript preparation, seminar/conference presentations, participate/lead in the preparation of proposals for competitive grants.
Requirements:
- PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biomedicine, medical engineering, or equivalent disciplines, with experience in cancer immunology.
- Prior experience working with laboratory mouse models is mandatory. Candidates with previous experience in Prostate cancer research will be prioritized.
- Pro-active attitude, ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team environment, analytical and critical thinking.
- Our laboratory is formed by an international group of investigators; hence, English is the working language of the group. The candidate should be able to communicate fluently in English, even if it is not his/her first language.
Additional information:
- Salary will be estimated according to profile and experience.
- Funding is secured for at least 2 years. The candidate is expected to actively participate in preparation of proposals for fellowship opportunities and other research funding calls with the support of the project directors.
- Start date: as soon as possible, to be discussed with the candidate.
Application:
- Potential candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, letter of intent, and at least one reference using the form below or via email to selecciorrhh@vhio.net, including the reference “Ref. 2024-041-01” in the subject line of your email.
- Pre-selection will be based on relevant work experience and motivation letter. Short-list candidates will be interviewed and expected to give a presentation on their PhD work and research interests.
- For informal enquires about this position, you can contact jmateo@vhio.net (Joaquin Mateo, MD PhD)
About VHIO:
Under the leadership of Josep Tabernero, the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), has established itself as a comprehensive cancer center of proven excellence internationally. It is also thanks to VHIO’s optimal organizational structure based on a purely multidisciplinary and translational model that VHIO talents continue to anticipate and tackle the many unresolved questions in combatting this multifaceted and heterogeneous disease.
Located within the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, our researchers closely collaborate and interact with Vall d’Hebron physician-scientists. Translational science and clinical research are therefore tightly connected which promotes superb interaction and teamwork which, in turn, accelerates the bench-bedside-bed cycle of knowledge. This privileged environment affords VHIO direct access to patients as well as the entire spectrum of oncology professionals who care for them, and a second-to-none appreciation of how cancer science can translate into more powerful, targeted treatments and better practice for the care of patients.
VHIO’s pioneering model and programs, coupled with its belief in combining strengths through cross-border collaborations, continue to spur advances in reversing cancer resistance, halting metastatic spread, and more effectively treating even the most undruggable tumor types.
VHIO’s translation toward precision oncology: https://www.vhio.net
Vall d’Hebron Institute Oncology (VHIO) endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.
On 10th April 2018 VHIO was awarded the “HR Excellence in Research” logo. Our Institute was consequently granted permission to use the HR Excellence in Research Award logo as demonstration of its stimulating and favourable work environment in line with the Charter & Code.
