Ref LXI_MSCA_05 - Postdoc candidate for a MSCA PF in Immuno-Oncology, Gliomas, Single-Cell Transcriptomics and Drug Screening

The Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) - Neuro-Immunology is interested in hosting a postdoctoral fellow within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship programme.

Project idea

To be determined

Offer Requirements

• PhD in Immuno-oncology or Neuro-oncology
• Prior experience in brain tumour research would be an advantage
• Proficiency in cell culture, single-cell RNA-seq, confocal microscopy, flow-cytometry, drug screening and immunological assays
• Mouse experimentation practice with FELASA diploma (or equivalent) and basic knowledge of bioinformatics tools, including commands of R, would be considered as an asset
• Excellent time management, rigor, perseverance, scientific creativity and originality, translational medicine mind-set, writing skills, sense of priority and ability to work with others
• Fluency in English is mandatory

Institute description

The Neuro-Immunology Group is a young and dynamic team at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), a biomedical research institute located in Luxembourg coupling fundamental research with translational activities. At the LIH, researchers have easy access to:

• scientific expertise
• well-equipped state-of-the-art facilities
• active seminar programmes as well as opportunities for close national and international collaborations.

In this framework, the Neuro- Immunology group headed by Dr Michelucci belongs to the Department of Oncology, whose research activities focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumour progression to uncover novel therapeutic approaches for the patients. Specifically, team members at the Neuro-Immunology Group seek to elucidate the complex interactions between neoplastic cells and the immune system, with a special focus on tumour-associated microglia/macrophages (TAMs), in brain tumours. Gliomas represent approximately 80% of all malignant tumours of the central nervous system. Among them, Glioblastoma (GBM) is the highest-grade glioma and the most common malignant brain tumour in adults.

Despite an established standard care of treatment, GBM recurrence is inevitable and prognosis remains poor with a median survival of 15 months after diagnosis. Hence, the development of novel therapeutic options, including immunotherapies, are needed. Importantly, GBM is a highly immunosuppressive cancer, where TAMs can constitute up to 30-40% of the tumour mass playing a key role in immune escape mechanisms. Thus, targeting these cells is emerging as a promising strategy for immunotherapy. In this context, the postdoctoral candidate will contribute to better understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TAM adaptation along GBM progression with the goal to identify new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for the patients.

The postdoctoral fellow will have full access to a wide range of cutting edge technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics analyses, as well as in vitro and in vivo imaging modalities using both patient cohorts and state-of-the art animal models for brain tumour research. Notably, the recently created Transversal Translational Medicine department at the LIH will expedite rapid translation of the findings to develop target-enabling packages including assays, screens, probe compounds and other reagents for target development.

About Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship

The MSCA PF are postdoctoral fellowships, financed through the European Commission for 2 year positions, covering salary and research costs of the researchers, who can come from anywhere in the world. The evaluation process of these programmes is more about the project and the career development of the candidate, than his/her publication record. The organizations in Luxembourg that want to host such talented researchers include large public research organizations as well as private companies that offer interesting job perspectives after completion of the fellowship.

Minimal eligibility criteria

• Individual: applicant applies together with host institute
• PhD at the deadline (PhD date cannot be more than 8 years ago)
• Not working or living in Luxembourg for longer than 12 months before the call deadline
• For rules see here or contact your NCP

How to apply

Please fill out the application form until May 15^th 2021 – please note that we cannot accept applications without the application form. We need your CV with a list of publications and if relevant a short project proposal (maximum 3 pages) as well as the offer reference you are interested in. You can also send several fine-tuned CVs if you are interested in multiple positions – please fill out a new application form in that case. Make sure you address the text and requirements mentioned by the respective hosts.

Please note that applications are made through Luxinnovation, your contact point for Horizon Europe in Luxembourg, before being handed over to the host company.

Don’t hesitate to contact us, if you have any questions.

Luxinnovation, the Luxembourgish Innovation agency and National Contact Point for MSCA, will support both you and your future host institute during your application phase. For all applicants coming to Luxembourg we offer guidance documents, webinars, training in proposal writing and we will review your proposals if you wish so (depending on our availability). In 2019, MSCA IF proposals from Luxembourg had an average success rate of 28.5%, and proposals reviewed by our service 42%.

More information can be found on our website.

See other similar positions here.

KEYWORDS

• Immuno-oncology
• Gliomas
• Microglia/Macrophages
• Single-Cell RNA-seq
• CyTOF

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