Postdoctoral position in cancer immunology and the tumor immune microenvironment

 Postdoctoral position in cancer immunology and the tumor immune microenvironment

 

Brussels  VIB Center for Inflammation Research POST-DOCTORAL

Posted Date

10 Apr 2023

Location

Brussels

Center

VIB Center for Inflammation Research

Lab

Jo Van Ginderachter Lab

Type

Post-doctoral

Positions

1

Description

The Jo Van Ginderachter (JVG) lab is looking for an outstanding postdoctoral scientist interested in understanding how the heterogeneity and pro-tumoral activity of tumor-associated macrophages is regulated and how the manipulation of such regulatory mechanisms can be harnessed to improve immunotherapy. We are especially interested in understanding how RNA epigenetic alterations sculpt tumor-associated macrophages and affect the tumor-promoting function of these cells in various mouse models of non-small cell lung carcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer, as well as their human counterparts.

This project is embedded within a high profile, excellence-based research consortium (EOS program) of four partners in Belgium (Jo Van Ginderachter-VIB/Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Massimiliano Mazzone-VIB/KULeuven, Pierre Close-Université de Liège and François Fuks-Université Libre de Bruxelles). While the JVG and MM labs are at the forefront of tumor-associated macrophage research, PC and FF are renowned experts on RNA epigenetics. The postdoctoral scientist will be actively involved in this consortium and will interact and collaborate with the partner labs.

The project relies on cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing, CITE-Seq, high-dimensional cytometry, spatial transcriptomics, and mouse genetic models. In addition, this project is further supported by a Ph.D. student and a dedicated bio-informatician in the JVG lab.

The JVG lab is located at the Science/Humanities campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, in the center of Brussels and in the heart of Europe, and is part of the excellence-based VIB Center for Inflammation Research (director: Bart Lambrecht).

Selected references:

Geeraerts X, Fernandez-Garcia J, …, Van den Bossche J*, Fendt SM*, Van Ginderachter JA*. *Equal contribution. Macrophages are metabolically heterogeneous within the tumor microenvironment. Cell Reports 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110171.

Pombo Antunes AR, Scheyltjens I, ...Van Ginderachter JA*, Movahedi K*. *Equal contribution. Single-cell profiling of myeloid cells in glioblastoma across species and disease stage reveals macrophage competition and specialization. Nature Neuroscience 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41593-020-00789-y

Van Damme H, …, Laoui D*, Van Ginderachter JA*. *Equal contribution. Therapeutic depletion of CCR8+ tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells elicits antitumor immunity and synergizes with anti-PD-1 therapy. Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer 2021, doi: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001749

Bieniasz-Krzywiec P, …, Van Ginderachter JA, Mazzone M. Podoplanin-expressing macrophages promote lymphangiogenesis and lymphoinvasion in breast cancer. Cell Metabolism 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.07.015

Laoui D, Keirsse J, ..., Van Ginderachter JA. The tumour microenvironment harbours ontogenically distinct dendritic cell populations with opposing effects on tumour immunity. Nature Communications 2016. doi: 10.1038/ncomms13720

Profile

Ph.D. in biology, bio-engineering sciences, medical sciences, biomedical sciences, or related disciplines.

Solid publication record

Experienced in immunology, preferably myeloid cell biology.

Experienced in working with mouse models (FELASA B or C required).

Experience with flow cytometry and single-cell -omics is highly beneficial

Experience in tumor immunology is beneficial.

Excellent spoken and written English skills

Creative, highly motivated, independent, team player

  We offer

The possibility to independently lead your research project, but with sufficient guidance and mentoring.

Excellent training conditions, with the possibility to learn a wide set of cutting-edge technologies.

A friendly, dynamic, and scientifically stimulating working environment, with a team of highly motivated scientists.

Long-term career opportunities.

Funding for up to 4 years. However, you will be encouraged to also apply for personal fellowships.

Starting date: as soon as possible.

How to apply?

A detailed CV, containing a full list of publications

Motivation letter

Summary of past research

Names and contact information of 2-3 referees

For additional information on the position contact Prof. Dr. Jo Van Ginderachter (jo.van.ginderachter@vub.be)

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