Postdoc in Immuno-Onco-Virology in The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of immuno-onco-virology as per 1 November 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a 2-year fixed-term full-time position with possibility of extension.

The department of Biomedicine prioritises diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a dynamic and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department’s modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in strong scientific basic research. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

About the research project

The use of OVs in cancer therapy is an emerging therapeutic approach that has demonstrated significant antitumor effects and safety in phases I-III clinical trials. OVs are tumor-selective, self-amplifying therapeutics that selectively kill cancer cells via direct oncolysis, shutdown of tumor vasculature and stimulate immune responses against tumor antigens. An essential aspect in the development of these agents is safety, thus clinically relevant viruses are genetically engineered to remove any pathogenic viral functions and be highly sensitive to interferon (IFN), the major antiviral host defence system. These alterations render the virus safe to be administered to patients, but unfortunately can affect viral replication and spread within tumour tissues. This constitutes a critical limitation to these agents. Because significant replication of oncolytic viruses in tumour tissues is necessary for highest efficacy, the identification of strategies that significantly potentiate viral replication of clinically relevant and safe viruses, specifically within malignant tissues, could substantially improve oncolysis and stimulate stronger anti-tumour immune responses. In the opened position, we will identify resistance factor to OV therapy in cancer cells using genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens or compound library screen and genetically engineer novel OVs to unleash their oncolytic potential. These novel viruses will be tested as anticancer treatment agents in vitro in cancer cell lines, ex vivo in patient-derived cancer material and in vivo in murine and zebra fish models.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc immuno-onco-virology your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
• Teaching and supervision of junior lab members.
• Training in writing small grant applications

You will report to Associate Professor David Olagnier

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD level, preferably within one or more of the following areas: molecular medicine, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, virology; and with a strong interest in cancer immunology and novel therapeutic options. Applicants with documented experience in animal models in vivo or with genome wide CRISPR-screens will be preferred.

You should be enthusiastic, motivated, result-driven and creative minded, with good organization, writing and communication skills. You should be interested in fundamental and translational research questions and be able to work both independently and in a team environment.

As a person, you are ambitious, take ownership and possess good communication and interpersonal skills. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact David Olagnier; olagnier@biomed.au.dk

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, SKOU bygning, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in August and September 2022.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc is between DKK 465,475.74 and DKK 517.872,14 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant – postdoc must be completed and uploaded under ‘Extra documents’
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Strategic research plan can be uploaded (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

The assessment committee may decide to include non-submitted material in its statement. In such cases, you will be informed and obliged to submit material, unless your application is withdrawn.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Development Programme. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.

Questions about the position?

David Pierre Christophe OlagnierAssociate Professor, Department of Biomedicine – Forskning og uddannelse, Skou-bygningenolagnier@biomed.au.dk

Questions about application and proces?

Health Administrative Centre – Health HR+4593508308emply.he.hr@au.dk

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