PhD student scholarship in molecular studies of circulating tumor cells

1. Description of project

The main goal of this project is to enable constant monitoring of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) evolution and response to treatment, using only patients’ blood. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a very strong candidate for following cancer using minimally invasive techniques (e.g., blood samples). Currently, very little is known about these CTCs in patients with TNBC, and mostly about the so-called protein-coding repertoire. We wish to also unlock the remaining portion of the transcriptome, the elusive non-coding transcriptome.

What we offer:
•setting work directions based on discussions; collaborative and supportive work culture from the team; your personal development and your opinion will be important to us

•35 months full time employment (with the possibility of extending the project to 48 months)

•stipend amount/month: 3800 PLN net; increased to 7000 net (~1500 EUR) upon successful application to the Doctoral School

•co-authorship of publications in recognized scientific journals participation in the implementation of research projects on innovative methods ofdiagnosis•opportunity for commercial cooperation with biotechnology and pharmaceuticalcompanies

•support in the implementation of their own research ideas and expansion of knowledge

•participation in international conferences

•good working conditions in a modern building of the Center for Biological and chemical Sciences https://cnbch.uw.edu.pl/ in the center of Warsaw at OchotaCampus of Warsaw University in close vicinity of other research institutions in the field of biology, physics, chemistry and medicine

•flexible working hours

Please submit the following documents to: s.volinia@uw.edu.plApplication deadline: 10.05.2024

Required documents:
•Short motivation letter

•Curriculum vitae including: a detailed description of the academic degrees, titles oftheses, names and affiliations of supervisors, places of employment, list ofscientific publications, conferences, awards and trainings

.•Address details of at least one direct supervisor/scientist who may recommend thegiven candidate.

•Copies of obtained diplomas.

•For the purpose of the recruitment process, please attach a scan of signed, writtenpermission for recruitment-related personal data processing, attachment 1

•Key responsibilities

1. Experimental work:

a.Application and development of microfluidics to the enrichment and isolation of circulating tumor cells.

b.Single-cell transcriptome profiling, such as VASA-seq or PipSeq, of circulating tumor cells.

2.Analysis and publication of the obtained results, participation in the preparation of patent applications, and potential commercialization of the research results

3.Participation in seminars and scientific conferences

4.Readiness to carry out part of the research abroad in European partner institutions

5.Supervision of graduate students involved in research work in the project.

The successful candidate is expected to enroll in one of the Doctoral Schools of the University of Warsaw https://szkolydoktorskie.uw.edu.pl/en/