Postdoc Fellow: Targeted delivery of mesenchymal stem cells

Postdoc Fellow: Targeted delivery of mesenchymal stem cells in cell therapy for kidney disease

Do you have expertise in cell culture, cell therapy and in vivo work, coupled with a passion for innovation? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact sustainable drug discovery in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company that focuses on discovering, developing, and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work, where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society.

About the Postdoc Programme

Bring your expertise, apply your knowledge, follow the science and make a difference!

AstraZeneca's Postdoc Programme is for self-motivated individuals looking to take on exciting, high impact projects in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Working with peers and professionals from a diverse set of backgrounds, together with an elite academic mentor explicitly aligned to your project, you'll be respected as a specialist and encouraged to speak up. You'll lead a novel and innovative research project at the interface of drug discovery and biopharmaceutical development in a multidisciplinary scientific environment. You'll be empowered and supported to drive the success of your project, publish papers, achieve your goals and make a difference to our patients.

Running alongside your research project, our postdoc training program will help you learn about drug discovery and development from industry leaders working in our innovative research laboratories and organisation.

About the Opportunity

We are looking for a highly motivated and independent scientist with an enthusiasm for cell therapy and proven experience in animal studies and cell culture. You will apply your expertise in developing innovative approaches to advance cell therapy technology and potentiate the clinical transition of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in treatment of kidney disease. Supported by leading experts Pernille B. Laerkegaard Hansen, Executive Director and Head of Bioscience Renal at AstraZeneca and Ryan Hicks, Senior Director Cell Therapy, you will have the opportunity to understand drug R&D, while building a network in the industry. And to bridge the gap between academia and industry, you will be mentored by Lilach O. Lerman from The Mayo Clinic.

Your responsibilities will include designing and conducting studies in MSC culture, cell surface modification, developing in vitro MSC binding assays, setting up kidney disease models, transplanting MSC, and assessing MSC engraftment and function in vivo.

The proposed study strives to enhance MSC engraftment and efficacy in diseased kidney. In this study, you will identify disease-relevant kidney ligands in AKI and modify MSC cell surface for ligand-specific targeting. It involves cell surface modification, validation of binding efficacy of the modified MSC to the disease-relevant ligands, and assessment of engraftment and therapeutic effect of the modified MSC in kidney disease models.


Essential Education and Experience

Required:

* PhD in life science
* Strong in vivo skillset
* Hands-on expertise in tissue processing and histology
* Advanced cell culture techniques
* Excellent scientific writing skills and track record of scientific publications
* Commitment to driving innovative science and great problem solving skills
* Good networking, collaboration and teamworking skills

Desirable:

* Surgical techniques such as mouse i.v. and intra-carotid arterial infusion
* Understanding on immunology
* Basic knowledge in renal physiology and pathology
* Experience in animal disease models



Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can't wait to hear from you!

This is a 3-year programme. 2 years will be a Fixed Term Contract, with a 1-year extension which will be merit based.

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Advert Opens: 11 March 2022

Advert Closes: 22 April 2022



Where can I find out more?

AstraZeneca's Postdoc Programme: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/postdocs-astrazeneca

Life at AstraZeneca: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/life-at-astrazeneca

Sustainability at AstraZeneca: https://www.astrazeneca.com/sustainability.html

Next generation Renal Therapies: https://www.astrazeneca.com/what-science-can-do/topics/next-generation-therapeutics/the-dawn-of-a-new-era-in-chronic-kidney-disease.html