Are you looking for a challenge? We are seeking a creative and energetic postdoc to explore how acute myeloid leukaemia alters the organisation of the bone marrow and how current treatments affect its immune status. You will be working in a stimulating, multidisciplinary and multinational environment together with international teams located at the Princess Máxima Center in Utrecht, the Deutsche Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg and the Charité Berlin. Do you want to make a difference? We would love to hear from you!
The project
With an overall survival of 75%, the prognosis in children and adolescents with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains dissatisfactory. Unlike other patients with cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, patients with AML have not benefitted from recent immunotherapy developments. One major reason for this is the immunosuppressive microenvironment created by leukaemic cells resulting in therapy resistance and protection against cytotoxic T cell action. Novel developments in spatial transcriptomics in combination with advanced histology and spatial proteomics offer exciting new tools to explore the organisation of the leukaemic bone marrow. Subjecting a unique collection of paediatric bone marrow biopsies to spatial analyses allows you to investigate cellular interactions involved in establishing and maintaining leukaemia as well as treatment resistance and immunosuppression. You will examine the localization of normal and leukaemic stem cells and the cellular architecture of their respective niches and spatial interactions of AML cells with components of the adaptive and innate immune system. Based on these data analyses, you will generate actionable hypotheses that will be tested in model platforms. This study will also provide a data-rich resource of great relevance to research teams interested in both basic and translational research in haematological disorders including their diagnosis and treatment.
Your profile
We are looking for a creative and highly motivated postdoctoral candidate, who is eager to spearhead this project, with the following qualifications and skills:
- A PhD degree or equivalent in (molecular) biology, biomedical sciences, bioinformatics or related disciplines.
- A strong interest in translational childhood cancer research.
- Demonstrated experience with analysing and interpreting large biomedical datasets.
- Demonstrated experience with programming in Python and/or R.
- Expertise in biomedical wet lab experiments or in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics and proteomics are a very strong plus.
- A strong motivation, attention to detail, flexibility, and good organizational and data management skills.
- The ability to work independently as well as collaborative in multidisciplinary and multicultural research team.
- A strong publication record.
- Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
Our offer
We offer you a stimulating position within a unique working environment in the leading pediatric oncology center in the Netherlands and Europe. You will have the opportunity to engage in the entire scope of translational research on childhood cancer. It is also possible to actively contribute to the overarching project, by generating and testing your own research hypotheses. You will start on a temporary position for 36 hours per week for the duration of one year, which – upon satisfactory completion of the first year – will be extended by two additional years. Your gross monthly salary will start in FWG 60 with a maximum salary of €5.978,- gross a month for a fulltime working week (36 hours). You also receive 8,33% holiday allowance and 8,33 % end-of-year bonus. The Princess Máxima Center operates according to the collective labor agreement ‘CAO ziekenhuizen’.
The Heidenreich group
We are interested in understanding how leukaemic drivers with a focus on fusion genes maintain leukaemia, and to translate our findings into therapeutic concepts. This includes:
- the development of complex culture conditions to examine treatment responses of AML cells in the context of the niche;
- to investigate how leukaemic drivers affect the communication within the leukaemic niche and the immune microenvironment using spatial omics techniques in combination with complex ex vivo cultures;
- the development and application of RNAi delivery tools for direct therapeutic interference with leukaemic fusion genes.
The ultimate aim is to develop highly cancer-specific therapeutic approaches with optimal efficacy and patient quality of life.
The Princess Máxima Center
The Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology is an integrated hospital and research institute, which integrates healthcare, research and education on pediatric cancer, in a single location in Utrecht. Our institute aims to provide the highest level of care for all children with cancer, with optimal quality of life. The center brings together the best possible care and scientific research, creating a unique interdisciplinary institute for pediatric oncology in Europe.
Contact and application
Are you interested in becoming our new postdoc? You can apply directly by clicking the orange button on this page. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the vacancy will be closed once we have received enough applications.
Please provide:
- an up-to-date resume,
- a short motivation letter (2 pages maximum),
- contact information for 2-3 references.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Potential candidates will be invited for interviews, which will be held in February. For more information about the vacancy, please contact Olaf Heidenreich.
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