Job date: 2015-04-08
End Date:
Company : Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Country : Role : Postdoc
Salary range: £30202 to £37860 dependent on experience
Fixed-term for 2.5 years
A postdoctoral Fellow post is available for a motivated and talented scientist interested in the mechanistic role of specific cancer gene mutations in the pathogenesis of haematological malignancies with the ultimate goal of identifying new, targeted treatments. The research will focus on poor-prognosis myeloid and lymphoid malignancies for which novel treatments are urgently needed e.g. see Refs 1, 2.
The successful applicant will determine the impact of cancer gene mutations in haematopoiesis and leukaemia development using established murine models. Syngeneic transplantation of haematopoietic cells from these models, modified by retroviral transduction or CRISPR/Cas9 technology, will be performed to assess the impact of additional mutations on disease phenotype. In parallel, CRISPR/Cas9 technology will be used to generate specific cancer gene mutations in human cell lines for in vitro studies. Engineered lines will be used to gain mechanistic insight into the function of cancer gene alterations using diverse approaches e.g. deep sequencing, biochemistry and molecular/cellular biology techniques. Potential therapeutic targets will be identified using large-scale drug and CRISPR/Cas9 screening approaches. There will be an opportunity to explore novel immunotherapy strategies using genetically modified murine strains.
The Fellow will report to Dr Chi Wong, affiliated with Dr David Adams’ Experimental Cancer Genetics group in the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK.
References
1. Wong, C. C. et al. Inactivating CUX1 mutations promote tumorigenesis. Nat. Genet. 46, 33–38 (2014).
2. Ramsay, A. J. et al. POT1 mutations cause telomere dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Nat. Genet. 45, 526–530 (2013).
Essential Skills
PhD in a relevant biological science e.g. murine cancer or haematopoiesis models Previous experience in working with murine models Expertise in multi-colour flow cytometry In vitro cell culture Familiarity with general molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology techniques Ability to work both independently and within a team Good spoken and written English Ability to communicate effectively with collaborators and at group/external meetingsIdeal Skills
Retrovirus/lentivirus generation to infect haematopoietic cells Knowledge or experience of gene targeting or CRISPR/Cas9 technologiesOther information
Postdoctoral Fellows are typically in their first or second postdoctoral position as part of a period of early career research training. Due to the nature of the contract no minimum or maximum period of employment can be guaranteed.
Life at the Sanger
The Genome Campus is a 100-acre estate south of Cambridge in the grounds of Hinxton Hall. Nestled in the quiet countryside of these landscaped gardens, are two world-class research facilities: the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). The site has become the British hub of biomedical science. The Campus is also home to the Wellcome Trust Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences programme and the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre.
In addition to its peaceful location the campus offers excellent facilities including a state of the art data centre, gym, two cafes, a nursery, dining facilities, a cycle to work scheme, car sharing and free campus buses from various locations around Cambridge.
Equally important to campus life is the range of social activities offered by the Sports and Social Club whether it is a Burns' Night Supper or a quiz night there are opportunities to meet with people working across the organization.
Learning, development and networking are other important aspects of life on campus. There are a range of scientific seminars with our own and invited speakers, scientific group meetings and skills development workshops.
Please include a covering letter and CV with your application.
Closing date for applications: 7th May 2015
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