Postdoctoral Position in Cancer Stem Cell

Universität Basel; Basel; Vor Ort; CHF 60’000 - 100’000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Eine innovative Einrichtung sucht einen engagierten Postdoktoranden, um an einem spannenden Projekt zur Erforschung von Krebsstammzellen und deren molekularen Mechanismen teilzunehmen. In dieser Rolle werden Sie aktiv zur Isolation und Charakterisierung von SOX2/Ribosomen-Komplexen beitragen, was bedeutende Fortschritte in der Reprogrammierungstechnologie und der Krebsbekämpfung verspricht. Sie arbeiten in einem dynamischen Team und haben die Möglichkeit, Ihre Forschungsergebnisse in einem internationalen Umfeld zu präsentieren. Wenn Sie eine Leidenschaft für die Lebenswissenschaften haben und bereit sind, neue Wege zu beschreiten, freuen wir uns auf Ihre Bewerbung.

Qualifikationen

• Starker Forschungshintergrund in Biochemie und Molekularbiologie erforderlich.
• Gute Englischkenntnisse sind zwingend erforderlich, Deutschkenntnisse von Vorteil.

Aufgaben

• Isolierung und molekulare Charakterisierung von SOX2/Ribosomen-Komplexen.
• Analyse der molekularen Zusammensetzung und spezifischen Transkriptlast.

Kenntnisse

Forschung in Biochemie

RNA Biochemie

Protein Biochemie

Molekulare Biologie

Englischkenntnisse

Deutschkenntnisse

Ausbildung

PhD in Biochemie

PhD in Molekularbiologie

MD PhD

Tools

HPLC/MS

RIBOseq

Cryo-EM

Dichtegradientenzentrifugation

RNA-Extraktionen

Bibliotheksklonierung

Jobbeschreibung

The Department of Biomedicine (DBM), a joint venture of the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel, brings together basic and clinical scientists to improve our understanding of health and disease. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will become part of a young team investigating cancer stem cells and the molecular mechanisms of their regulation, a promising and dynamic field of research where your contribution can make a real difference.

Scientific Background

Stem cells are rare populations of cells that in their primordial (i.e., ontological) significance serve as clonal founders of embryonic or adult somatic structures, while retaining a largely undifferentiated status themselves. Although adapted to tissue context, a recurrent feature of stem cells is the expression of pluripotency-inducing transcription factors, among which OCT4, KLF4, cMYC and SOX2. It is this set of four (or even less under certain conditions) that is indeed capable of reprogramming adult body cells into conditions of induced pluripotency. However, untimely or dysregulated expression of pluripotency factors is also related to the onset and progression of cancer.

The specific project you will be involved in aims to further elucidate the functionality of SOX2, whose molecular regulation is a long-standing interest of ours and which we have recently discovered is also actively involved in translation (i.e., in protein synthesis by ribosomes, see Schaefer et al., Cell Reports 2024). The unforeseen discovery of a translational role of cytosolic SOX2, distinct from its established significance as a pluripotency factor in the nucleus, holds great promise for advances in reprogramming technology and the fight against cancer.

Your Assignments

You will actively contribute to the isolation and molecular-functional characterization of SOX2/ribosome complexes, a presumably distinct form of ribosomes characteristic of SOX2-positive stem and cancer stem cells. These supposed “stemness ribosomes” shall be enriched and analysed regarding their (i) molecular composition, (ii) specific transcript load, and (iii) structure. Key technologies involved will be (without limitation): density gradient centrifugation, ribosome profiling, affinity purifications, RNA extractions and library cloning. Your principal work objective will be the provision of sufficiently pure analytes and - in exchange with experts in their respective disciplines (our long-standing international collaborators and the DBM core facilities) - their more specific characterization by HPLC/MS, RIBOseq, and cryo-EM. The pinnacle goal, prospectively, is the characterisation of the SOX2/ribosome interface as a new chemical space for pharmacological intervention.

Your profile

We are looking forward to applications from highly motivated, young researchers (m/f/d) with a basic education in the life sciences and a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, or equivalent. MD PhDs with a strong affinity for the natural sciences can be excellent candidates, too. A preceding research history in the fields of ribosomes, RNA, and library cloning would be ideal, but is presumably too specialized to be requested jointly. Rather, as science is more about constant learning and determination than experience, we are looking forward to applicants with a solid research track in protein and/or RNA biochemistry and a strong drive to succeed. Indeed, we are not looking for participants, but for achievers (certainly within and potentially also outside the academic context). A good command of English is mandatory, of German helpful. Candidates with an international career step (e.g., an internship, PhD, or first postdoctoral assignment abroad) will be preferred. Experience in animal work is not required for this job assignment, but will be considered as is any additional form of qualification. What really counts for us, however, more than any individual grade or specific practical training, is a positive work attitude, reliability, commitment and - most importantly - genuine curiosity and interest in research.

We offer you

Application / Contact

Please submit your CV together with a concise motivation letter, copies of relevant certificates (diplomas/degrees), one selected publication that best describes you in your preceding career as a scientist, and the name and email address of at least one reference (minimally your last employer and/or academic supervisor). Candidates will be contacted online and invited to an on-site interview. All applicants will be notified with respect to the outcome.