Postdoctoral Researcher, Leukemic Cell Quiescence and Treatment Resistance

Lunds Universitet · Full-time

Sölvegatan 19, Lund, Sweden

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. Here there are approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our commitment to understand, explain, and improve our world and people's conditions. Description of the Workplace The research group is part of the Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy at the Faculty of Medicine, Lund University. In B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children, a subpopulation of leukemic cells survives chemotherapy by entering a quiescent state. These cells are believed to contribute to minimal residual disease and subsequently cause relapse. The research group investigates the mechanisms underlying this process using a bone marrow organoid model based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are transplanted with primary ALL cells. The model enables studies of the interaction between leukemic cells and the bone marrow microenvironment that governs the transition to quiescence. This research platform is combined with an expressed barcode system that enables simultaneous tracking of cell lineage, cell state, and cell cycle dynamics at the single-cell level. The project is conducted in collaboration with UCL Cancer Institute, where Professor Tariq Enver holds his primary position. The research group is jointly led by Professor Enver, who is also a visiting professor at Lund University, and Dr. Virginia Turati. The group also consists of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. We are committed to maintaining a positive, inclusive, and respectful work environment where all colleagues are treated with consideration, respect, and professionalism. What We Offer Lund University is a state agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous vacation time, and a favorable occupational pension. We also have a flexible working time agreement that creates good conditions for work-life balance. Learn more on the university's website about working at Lund University, Work with Us. Responsibilities and Areas of Responsibility Implementation, optimization, and maintenance of the research group's human bone marrow organoid model, including engraftment of primary ALL cells and experiments with chemotherapy exposure. Isolation and characterization of quiescent, chemotherapy-resistant (label-retaining) ALL cells using flow cytometry, cell sorting, and functional analyses. Application and further development of the research group's expressed lineage barcoding platform, including lentiviral transduction of ALL cells for simultaneous tracking of cell lineage, cell state, and cell cycle dynamics. Conducting molecular characterization and profiling of quiescent and treatment-resistant leukemic cell states. Responsibility for careful documentation of experiments and contribution to the research group's work on quality assurance, reproducibility, and data management. Participation in writing scientific manuscripts, scientific communication, and presentation of research results at national and international conferences. Co-mentoring of master's students and doctoral students within the research group. Qualifications Requirements for Employment Ph.D. in cell biology, molecular biology, stem cell biology, hematology, cancer biology, or a related research field. Documented practical experience with culturing human stem cells/progenitor cells, such as iPSC-based systems, primary hematopoietic cells, or primary leukemia samples. Experience with flow cytometry and cellular functional analyses. Ability to independently plan, conduct, and analyze research projects. Very strong ability to express yourself orally and in writing in English. Meritorious Experience with 3D culture, organoid models, or tissue engineering systems. Experience with genetic modification of mammalian cells using lentivirus or other virus vector-based methods. Experience with genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9. Experience with research in leukemia biology, hematopoiesis, stem cell biology, or treatment resistance in cancer. Experience with mentoring, advising, or training of students and junior researchers. Previous experience with research in similar projects. Other Information The position is temporary according to SÄVA for 12 months and is full-time. Start date is November 15 or by agreement. How to Apply The position is filled through the university's recruitment system. Your application should include a cover letter describing how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. Your application should also include a CV, including a publication list, a general description of previous research work, a copy of your doctoral degree, and anything else you wish to submit (copies of diplomas, transcripts, references, letters of recommendation, etc.) The university applies individual salary determination. Please include salary expectations in your application. The Faculty of Medicine is an operational area within Lund University, responsible for education and research in medicine, care, and health. Education is conducted in close collaboration with healthcare and is well anchored in the faculty's strong research tradition. The faculty's research spans a broad field of experimental basic research, patient-oriented clinical research, and health science research. The Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,800 employees and 3,000 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from around the world. The Department of Laboratory Medicine (ILM) is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. We conduct leading research in the laboratory medicine field with a focus on how diseases develop and how we can improve patient diagnosis and treatment. Some of our strongest areas of world-class research involve cancer, genetics, and blood research. We decline all contact from advertising sales, recruitment and staffing companies due to government procurement regulations.