Postdoctor in Prostate cancer and bone metastasis

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, at the Institute of Medicine, conducts research in several different areas, such as osteoporosis, endocrinology, hematology, gastroenterology, hypertension, respiratory medicine and allergology, and clinical nutrition focusing on body composition and energy metabolism.

At the Center for Bone and Arthritis Research (CBAR), multidisciplinary translational research is conducted with the aim of improving the diagnostics, prevention, and treatment options for diseases related to the skeleton, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone metastases in cancer diseases. The research at CBAR is conducted by doctors, researchers, postdocs, doctoral students, and biomedical analysts and we are now looking for a postdoctoral fellow for a project on bone metastases conducted at the center. The research group studies the relationship between hormonal regulation of prostate cancer in the skeleton with the aim of finding new biomarkers for advanced prostate cancer.

The candidate will work under the supervision of Professor Matti Poutanen, who is a leading researcher in translational research on prostate cancer and skeletal disorders.

Subject area 

Prostate cancer and bone metastasis

Subject area description 

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among Swedish men. Bone metastases are the most common cause of cancer-specific death among men with prostate cancer. The overall objective of the now announced postdoctoral position is to study interactions between tumor cells and the microenvironment in the bone as well as the mechanisms that regulate tumor establishment and sclerotic progression of prostate cancer in the skeleton. The goal of the project is to develop more effective and safer treatment methods for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Duties 

The candidate will work with translational studies of prostate cancer in bone at the Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research at the Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg. The work includes studies on a preclinical mouse model of prostate cancer skeletal metastases to define the mechanism of tumor-bone communication and the mechanisms involved in tumor establishment and growth. The work will include planning, performing, and analyzing in vivo studies in immune-compromised mice (including performing various surgical and drug interventions) and performing molecular and cell biology analyses ex vivo, including work with DNA / RNA / proteins, global transcriptomic analyses, protein-protein interaction studies, and various imaging techniques. The applicant is expected to be able to use and further develop the methods described above. In addition, the work also includes bioinformatic analyses of data generated, including the use of statistical tools. The applicant will also work on compiling the results for publication in international scientific journals.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree in a relevant subject, or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made. 

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Assessment criteria 

We are looking for a person with good experience in work with in vivo models in immune-compromised mice and in performing molecular and cell biology as described more detailed above (see job assignments). Previous experience of working with preclinical cancer models and their characterization is needed. As we operate in an international environment, the applicant is expected to have good knowledge of communicating in speech and writing in English. Great emphasis is placed on personal qualities, such as the ability to work independently, and organizational skills.

Employment 

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 24 months
Extent: 100 %
Location: Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg
First day of employment: 2024-07-01 or according to agreement

Contact information 

Matti Poutanen
Researcher
Matti.Poutanen@gu.se

Marie Lagerquist
Assistant department head
marie.lagerquist@medic.gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande 

Application 

Please attach PhD certificate with the application, if the PhD certificate has not yet been issued, it needs to be attached latest at the time when the employment decision is to be made.

Include a motivation letter, CV including list of publications and letter of reference. 

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to
ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

Applications must be received by: 2024-05-06

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.