英国弗朗西斯·克里克研究所2020年招收博士后（免疫学和肿瘤学方向）

Postdoctoral Training Fellow

This is a full-time, fixed term (4 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

The research group

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a pioneering biomedical research institute, dedicated to innovation and science. A postdoctoral research post in the laboratory of Immunity and Cancer headed by Dinis Calado is now available. We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to investigate molecular mechanisms of germinal center B-cell dynamics, differentiation and cancer formation. During the course of a T-cell dependent immune response to infection, B-cells differentiate in a reaction called germinal center into memory B-cells and plasma cells i.e. antibody secreting cells. B-cells undergoing a germinal center reaction are at most risk of becoming cancer cells and at the origin of B-cell lymphomas (e.g. Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma) and plasma cell cancers (e.g. Multiple Myeloma). The successful applicant will use a wide range of techniques including mouse genetics, high-end flow-cytometry, cytof, hyperion, single cell and bulk RNA and Exome sequencing. It is required that the applicant has excellent communication and organisational skills, a PhD in immunology, cancer or a relevant area (or be in the final stages of completion).

Project summary

The research project integrates immunology and cancer biology to:

· identify germinal center B-cell subpopulations that due to their physiology are at high risk of becoming cancer cells;

· investigate causative mutations responsible for germinal center B-cell derived cancer formation and maintenance;

· assess germinal center B-cell derived cancer microenviroment and processes of evasion of cancer cells from immune control.

To perform these studies the laboratory takes advantage of inter-species comparisons. We have in place cutting-edge genetic techniques to address these questions in vivo in the mouse, including conditional gain-of-function and/or loss-of-function specifically in germinal center B-cells. The confirmation and/or validation of the findings in these systems is obtained through the study of relevant human primary cancer samples and cell lines of germnal center B cell derived cancers.

Postdoctoral Training Fellows are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, resilient, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

· PhD in immunology, or cancer or in the final stages of PhD submission

· Good knowledge and experience in Flow Cytometry

· Technical expertise in mouse models

· Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in referred journals

· Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

· Experience of experimental design

Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting within a group