Postdoc in Experimental Evolution in Human Genomics at the Supek Group, BRIC

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 4-year position, to commence 1 February 2024, or soon thereafter (flexible start date).

The postdoc will be linked to the ERC Consolidator project “STRUCTOMATIC” to study mutagenic and DNA repair processes operating in human cells, in particular those generating structural variation (SV, also known as genomic rearrangements) and their role in disease. We will combine experimental approaches based on combinatorial gene perturbation (CRISPR/Cas12a gene editing) together with diverse computational approaches to study genomic instability and to infer SV mutation risk and understand consequences of SVs on genetic disease, cancer, and other aging-associated disorders.

Information on the department can be found at: https://www.bric.ku.dk/.

Our research
The Supek group is home to a highly interdisciplinary team, working at the intersection of genomics, molecular biology, and artificial intelligence. In our studies, we are striving for excellence and impact – we aim to do science that pushes the boundaries of human knowledge, and that benefits citizens health. The lab employs cutting-edge technologies in large-scale data analysis (cancer genomics, population genomics), DNA/RNA sequencing (e.g. Nanopore data generation and analysis), gene editing (e.g. Cas12a combinatorial disruption) and artificial intelligence (e.g. DNA and protein language models).

In addition to focus on high-impact research projects (e.g. ERC “HYPER-INSIGHT”, ERC “STRUCTOMATIC”), the Supek group also has a broad network of international collaborators across Europe (see e.g. EU Horizon consortia “DECIDER” and “LUCIA”, where we study ovarian and lung cancer genome evolution, respectively). The lab fosters a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere where excitement about science is valued. We are highly committed to mentoring and career development of PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and other team members.

Your job
We invite the brightest minds in the world of molecular and cell biology to dive into the frontier of genomics research using modern gene editing and long-read sequencing approaches. As a part of our dynamic team, you'll be at the forefront of understanding mechanisms underlying genomic instability and generating structural variation (SV) mutations in the human genome, and their impact on disease risk and cancer evolution.

You will lead the charge in directed evolution experiments on human cancer cell lines. The experiments will constitute mutation accumulation in cell line models under varying replication stress conditions, and with CRISPR/Cas12a edits on pivotal tumor suppressor genes, in order to increase mutation rates. Focus is on structural variants (rearrangements) occurring in the cancer cell line, which you will identify using long-read Nanopore sequencing.

You will use a directed evolution approach, where cells are modified to introduce additional oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, and then a selection pressure enforced upon the cells during many generations. After that, genome sequencing will reveal the evolutionary response of the cells to the selective pressures imposed, where cells adapt via gene amplifications and deletions. Single-cell WGS and/or single-cell RNA-Seq will be considered to describe cell heterogeneity.

Your work will be crucial in illuminating the paths SVs take during somatic cell evolution due to variable selection on oncogenes and on tumor suppressor genes, especially in the context of replication stress tied to cancerous conditions, and in the context of anticancer therapy. This may reveal new paths by which tumors gain SV driver changes, and by which they can escape therapy by gaining resistance-promoting SVs.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in molecular or cell biology or biochemistry or related fields.
• You are highly experienced in various relevant experimental techniques, such as mammalian cell culture & manipulation, and molecular biology techniques for DNA engineering.
• You have an active interest in understanding the biology of mutagenesis, the mechanisms of tumor evolution, and in learning new gene editing techniques.
• Solid level of written and spoken English
• At least one first-author publication or preprint from your PhD and/or MSc work.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with some of the following laboratory techniques will be valued: (a) mammalian cell culture (incl. cell viability/proliferation assays, transformation/transduction techniques, expansion of clones); (b) DNA extraction and purification, and PCR, qPCR or RT-PCR; (c) flow cytometry and cell sorting; (d) vector design and cloning techniques (e.g. Gateway cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, Gibson and Golden Gate assembly); (e) DNA extraction/QC and library prep for genome sequencing; (f) gene editing using CRISPR incl. assessment of edits; (g) assays for DNA damage (e.g. gH2AX, Comet etc) or mutagenesis; (h) CRISPR genetic screening.
• Background knowledge in fields related to DNA replication/repair or genome evolution or mechanisms of tumor suppression or cancer genetics or epigenetics.
• Two or more first-author or middle-author publications and/or preprints from your PhD and/or MSc work.
• Some experience with bioinformatics methods for genome or transcriptome analysis.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and an international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and high-performance computing infrastructure.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 4 years. The starting date is 1 February 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 36,412 DKK/approx. 4,880 EUR (October 2023 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information about the project and the postdoc position, please contact Prof. Fran Supek; [email protected].

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications and preprints. Please include summaries for up to 3 selected publications, describing the main impact and specifying your contributions to each particular study.

Deadline for applications: 20 November 2023, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held during December 2023.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk