La Caixa INPhINIT INCOMING Doctoral Fellowships: NEW MOLECULAR MECHANISMS IN THE PATHOLOGICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN OBESITY AND CANCER: CELLULAR MACHINERIES CONTROLLING RNA METABOLISM AND GENOMIC (IN)STABILITY AS POTENTIAL BIOMARKERS AND THERAPEUTIC TARGETS

IMIBIC HOSTING OFFER:

La Caixa INPhINIT INCOMING Doctoral Fellowship Programme Call 2021

GROUP LEADER

Dr. Raúl M. Luque (raul.luque@uco.es)

RESEARCH PROJECT/RESEARCH GROUP

IMIBIC consolidated group GC27 OncObesity and Metabolism

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Research Project / Research Group Description

Obesity is a chronic endocrine-metabolic disease and an emerging global epidemic that represents a capital health issue as it increases the risk of developing severe endocrine (metabolic syndrome, diabetes) and cardiovascular pathologies and many cancer types. Cancer comprises a heterogeneous and complex group of pathologies, which also represent a growing threat to public health. Remarkably, the patient-dependent phenotypic and clinical variability of cancers is profoundly influenced by obesity, which is indeed associated to increased incidence, aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance.

Our group investigates the cellular and molecular principles underlying the natural processes of neuroendocrine-metabolic regulation and their dysfunction in cancer, especially prostate, brain and liver cancer. We use a wide range of techniques, and our studies have led to the discovery and characterization of new receptors, functions and mechanisms of actions for different neuroendocrine-metabolic signals and drugs involved in the control of normal and tumor cells.

In this project, through the use of clinical and experimental approaches including numerous clinical samples and cellular and animal models, we aim to determine the cellular, molecular and endocrine-metabolic mechanisms underlying the pathologic association between obesity and cancer, by identifying and establishing the role of the components of the cellular machinery that regulate mRNA metabolism and genomic stability (splicing machinery, non-sense mediated decay, RNA-exosome, associated miRNAs, telomerase-shelterin complex, etc) in the development, progression and treatment response of different cancer types, as well as defining their utility as biomarkers

Consequently, the expected results could help to identify non-invasive, early diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers, with the final aim of transferring them to the health system.

Job position description

This job position is associated with a research topic that represents a central and financially well-funded research line of the group. The global aim of the project is to identify the cellular, molecular and endocrine-metabolic mechanisms underlying the pathologic association between obesity and cancer, which is an area of crucial interest for the group and is currently funded by two national projects (PID2019-105564RB-I00 funded by the Science and Innovation Ministry to Raul M. Luque, PI of the group, and PI20/01301 funded by the Carlos III Health Institute to Manuel D. Gahete, Co-PI of the group).

In particular, this job position is envisioned to pursue a series of keystone objectives of the research group (to unveil the role of the cellular machineries controlling RNA metabolism and genomic (in)-stability in the interaction between obesity and cancer) and serve as connection between several ongoing projects by the application of novel and cutting-edge approaches and methodologies (RNAseq, quantitative proteomics, CRISPR, nanoparticles, etc.). The fundamental and relevant role anticipated for this job position will assure high productivity that is expected to translate into the publication of several scientific articles in high-impact journals (Mol Cancer, Clin Cancer Res, Brain, Cancer Lett, Oncogene, EBioMedicine, etc.), the licensing of intellectual property-protecting patents and the elaboration of a PhD thesis with international recognition.

Indeed, the group has extensive experience forming PhD students within the framework of a high-quality PhD program (boosted by IMIBIC and UCO), which will ensure the complete scientific training of the candidate. In addition, the group has established a high number of relevant collaborations with internationally well-recognized research groups worldwide that will facilitate the mobility and complementary training of the student during the PhD program but also during a putative post-doctoral training.

How to Search for this offer:

You can find this offer via the Offer Finder, available at https://finder.lacaixafellowships.org/finder

Select “IMIBIC – Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute to Cordoba” from the dropdown list under “HOST ORGANIZATION”

You can also search the position by its title "NEW MOLECULAR MECHANISMS IN THE PATHOLOGICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN OBESITY AND CANCER: CELLULAR MACHINERIES CONTROLLING RNA METABOLISM AND GENOMIC (IN)STABILITY AS POTENTIAL BIOMARKERS AND THERAPEUTIC TARGETS" under "Search by project title / Job position / Positions description”

Eligibility Criteria

1) At the call deadline (4^th Feb 2021), applicants must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.

2) At the time of recruitment, candidates must comply with one of the following options:

• To have completed the studies that lead to an official university degree adapted to the European Higher Education Area awarding 300 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits must correspond to master level.
• To have completed a degree in university not adapted to the European Higher Education Area that gives access to doctoral studies. The verification of an equivalent level of studies to the ones mentioned above will be made by the university when the admission procedure starts.

3) Candidates must not have resided or have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline (4^th Feb 2021). Short stays, such as holidays, done in a country other than their country of usual residence (where they carried out their main activity), will be considered as time spent in their country of usual residence.

4) Candidates must have a demonstrable level of English (B2 or higher).

5) Only candidates whose applications meet all the requirements of the call may be accepted.

How to Apply:

If you want to apply for an INPhINIT fellowship, click on the link below to create your personal account and fill in the on-line application form: https://candidate.lacaixafellowships.org/login

Schedule:

4 February 2021: Application deadline.

18 February 2021: Deadline for submitting the language certificate.

22 April 2021: Notification of the shortlist results.

25, 26 and 27 May 2021: Face-to-face interviews in Barcelona.

7 June 2021: Publication of the final list of selected candidates.

7 – 30 June 2021: Matching between the research centres – fellows.

More Information:

Call for application:

https://fundacionlacaixa.org/es/becas-la-caixa-doctorado-inphinit-incoming

Programme Rules:

https://fundacionlacaixa.org/documents/10280/162494/programme-rules-inph...

Email (for questions concerning the host organisation IMIBIC):

international@imibic.org