Postdoctoral Position in Medical Science

Project title: Single-cell genomics of childhood leukemia predisposition

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is located at the Institute of Biomedicine at the Faculty of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. 

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties   

Doctoral education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represent a promising tool to model embryonic development. Genetic reprogramming of adult cell types (e.g. skin fibroblasts) allows the production of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to dissect the role of both congenital and somatic mutations on developmental disorders and malignancies. Half of all childhood cancers have a suspected prenatal origin, limiting access to the cancer-initiating developmental progenitor. Human PSCs-based in vitro models of embryonic hematopoiesis represent a promising tool to dissect the molecular mechanisms of malignant transformation taking place in prenatal cell populations. In the present project we will use this platform to characterize the developmental consequences trisomy 21 (T21), associated with Down Syndrome myeloid leukemia (ML-DS). A prenatal origin is well established for ML-DS. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to this phenotype are still unclear.

Objective: The overall goal of this project is to harness state-of-the-art single-cell profiling approaches, using hPSC differentiation to dissect the molecular consequences of T21 on embryonic hematopoiesis and identify novel putative early markers and therapeutic targets for ML-DS.

Methods: hPSCs harboring trisomy 21 will be differentiated using a novel gastruloid-based differentiation protocol, alongside normal controls. The cultures will be sampled and analysed using flow cytometry, colony-forming unit assays and single-cell profiling to assess how specific stages of embryonic hematopoiesis are affected by the trisomy karyotype. 

It is desirable that applicants have a background in developmental biology and embryonic hematopoiesis. Experience in developmental hematopoiesis research, such as cell culture, mouse embryo dissection, explant culture, flow cytometry, wholemount immunostaining and/or imaging is an advantage. 

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.  As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.    

Eligibility   

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are:

having successfully completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies. 

Assessment criteria    

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:

- specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
- experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
- scientific analysis and presentation verified through an academic paper, degree project, scientific
journals or the like.