Postdoctoral Positions in Tumor & Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden (2018)

The Schlisio lab at Karolinska Institute, Sweden, seeks a postdoctoral fellow to work on molecular principles of tumor formation arising from the sympathoadrenal cell lineage (neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma) to explore cell of origin, disease initiation and tumor heterogeneity.

Duties
We are seeking a motivated, creative post-doctoral candidate interested in tumor mouse models arising from the sympathoadrenal lineage, such as neuroblastoma (NB) and pheochromocytoma (PCC), with the aim to understand the molecular principles of these tumors at a previously unprecedented level. The neuroblastoma cell of origin is thought to be a developing sympathoblast, however, its precise cell of origin remains unknown. Single cell transcriptomics will identify gene expression clusters that are prominent in specific embryonic sympathoadrenal developmental stages in NB and PCC. Identifying the cell(s) of NB/PCC origin and their temporal development will provide mechanistic insight into: disease initiation, heterogeneity, progression, clinical behavior and spontaneous NB regression.

The project involves novel neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma animal models that are generated in our lab to investigate the dynamics of tumor formation in a single cell mode to compare events in the early tumor with already defined trajectory. This approach may explain the role of known mutations and will help to devise new tumor-differentiating strategies in vivo.

We are currently addressing the following questions:
- Understanding the clinical heterogeneity of neuroblastoma: What distinguishes the “favorable” vs the “unfavorable” neuroblastoma?
- What unique signatures can be found in the spontaneously regressing neuroblastoma?
- Do neuroblastoma types represent regulatory patterns in early or late embryonic sympathoblast/crest populations?
- Can we identify cell-of-origin subpopulations for neuroblastoma initiation?

Entry requirements
Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. Successful applicants must have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a group and have good English communication skills.

For more information please visit the following link:
Postdoctoral Positions in Tumor & Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Sweden (2018)