Monday 20 May 2013

VACANCY: Postdoc “Novel Anticancer Targets for Killing Drug Resistant Breast Tumor Cells”


Faculteit der Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen

Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research

The Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR) is part of the Faculty of Science. The LACDR is a leading institute, which performs fundamental and strategic scientific research in the field of innovative drug research.
The division of Toxicology is part of the LACDR. The mission of the division is to understand the signal transduction networks in cancer development, progression and treatment with the ultimate aim to develop better and safer anticancer therapies. A focus of the division is on understanding the mechanisms that underlie drug resistance in breast cancer using synthetic lethality screening approaches.
The division of Toxicology is looking for a;
Postdoc “Novel Anticancer Targets for Killing Drug Resistant Breast Tumor Cells” (38 hours per week) Vacancynumber 13-132
Project Description
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that has a poor disease prognosis. These tumors lack estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and lack all receptors for which there are currently in breast cancer targeted agents available. Patients with TNBC are still treated with non-specific toxic chemotherapeutic drugs such as anthracycline and/or taxane-based chemotherapy. Newly developed targeted (combination) therapies are urgently needed for this heterogeneous subgroup of breast cancer patients. Genomics analysis of TNBC has identified various gene products that are associated with poor disease prognosis, yet their role in drug resistance is unclear. This project will involve a systematic RNA interference-based knock down screen of candidate modulators of drug resistance. We will use a small representative panel of human TNBC cell lines for synthetic lethality screens to identify novel drugable targets that can sensitize TNBC to common anticancer drugs. High content imaging-based approaches will be used. The role and mechanism of candidate genes will be studied in further detail in relation to DNA damage responses and/or mechanisms of cell death using molecular cell biology approaches. This project is a direct collaboration with the department of Medical Oncology at the Erasmus MC supporting the translation of the in vitro findings to the patient.

Requirements

We seek a talented and highly motivated candidate with proven experience in cell and molecular biology, cell signalling and cellular imaging. The candidate should have a PhD degree in the area of Oncology or Molecular Cell Biology and have demonstrated experience with screening and (breast) cancer. Experience or affinity with bioinformatics and cellular imaging is highly recommended.

We offer

The candidate will work within the Leiden Cell Observatory using state-of-the-art high content screening equipment. We are situated in the Gorlaeus Laboratories on the Science Park Leiden. Currently, 25 researchers including technicians, PhD students, and Postdocs work in the Division of Toxicology. The candidate will become part of a young and dynamic team with a strong expertise in cancer research and signal transduction. We offer a vibrant, research-driven work environment with emphasis on team spirit, excellence, and skills development.
Appointment will be according to the terms of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten), for the duration of one year. An extension of two years after positive evaluation is possible. The function is validated in the University Function Ordening system (UFO) under the profile “Onderzoeker 4”. The salary will be set, depending on education and work experience, between the gross minimum of € 2403,- and gross maximum of € 3793,- per month, based on fulltime employment (salary scale: 10). Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package which includes an end-of-year premium of 8.3%, opportunities for personal development and possibilities for ‘personalized’ benefits via our Cafeteria model. More information about employment at Leiden University can be found at: www.leidenuniv.edu.

Information

For more information, please contact Prof.dr. Bob van de Water; telephone: +31-(0)71 527 6223; email: water_b@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl
Additionally, you can visit the websites of the Division of Toxicology, the Faculty of Science, and the LACDR: toxicol.lacdr.gorlaeus.net; www.science.leidenuniv.nl; www.lacdr.nl.

Applications

Do you identify with the profile above and aspire a career in bioscience? Please apply by sending your written application, full Curriculum Vitae and two letters of reference before May 13th, 2013 to the attention of Prof. dr. Bob van de Water.
Please follow this link to our application site; http://jobs.lacdr.leidenuniv.nl/2013/lacdrpd1

Found here: http://www.werkenbij.leidenuniv.nl/vacatures/wetenschappelijke-functies/13-132-postdoc-novel-anticancer-targets-for-killing-drug-resistant-breast-tumor-cells-.html 

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