Postdoc in DNA damage analysis in cancer

The Department of Biology and Biological Engineering was started on 1 January 2015. The department conducts research, education and utilisation in biotechnology with the aim of promoting lifelong health and contributing to a sustainable bio-based society.
The department has in a short time established a research culture defined by extensive publishing, citation rates and external grants, as well as successful utilisation, for example through start-ups.
The department consists of four divisions where outstanding research in industrial biotechnology, systems and synthetic biology, chemical biology, and food and nutrition science is conducted as well as a division of infrastructures.
Nearly 200 people from 30 countries are active within the department. The work environment is characterised by creativity, job satisfaction, collaboration and responsibility.

The Department of Biology and Biological Engineering has summarised its mission:
• To be an attractive environment for frontline researchers in biotechnology linked to health and sustainability
• To deliver excellent research results and innovative solutions for a sustainable society
• To offer excellent training that develops creative engineers and researchers
• To be a major contributing factor to Chalmers' good reputation internationally


We are looking for a talented, independent researcher that will work in a project that is based on developing a novel methodology in cancer diagnostics. Via the close connection to the research team at the hospital we have direct access to clinically important samples but also expertise to guide is in the method development. This guarantees that the time for implementation of the technique can be kept very short.

Information about the project
The project will be carried out in a highly interdisciplinary environment at the interface between biological and medical sciences.
The aim of the project is to use a recently developed technique that identifies single damage sites on DNA to personalize cancer chemotherapy. It is well known that different patients respond differently to a specific dose of a cytotoxic drug, but this is difficult to know before a specific treatment is started. The goal of the project is to, from a simple blood sample, be able to say how sensitive a specific person is to a specific drug and identifying the underlying molecular cause of this sensitivity. This will be done by exposing the blood sample to the drug of interest and subsequently count the number of damages the drug has caused on DNA. This is done using a novel single DNA molecule technique where individual damage sites are fluorescently labelled and subsequently analysed using fluorescence microscopy. The project is run in close collaboration with Prof. Ola Hammarsten at Sahlgrenska University Hospital that works on novel ways of personalizing chemotherapy by measuring DNA damage in clinical samples exposed to cytotoxic drugs, meaning that we will have direct access to clinically relevant samples.

Major responsibilities
The postdoc will work with the development of analytical procedures to quantify DNA damage and also ways of isolating DNA from human cells. Experiments will be performed using both blood samples and cell cultures.

Your major responsibility as postdoc is to perform your own research in a research group. The position also includes teaching on undergraduate and master's levels as well as supervising master's and/or PhD students to a certain extent. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
The successful candidate should have a PhD in biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology or related disciplines. The degree should generally not be older than three years.
Expertise in cancer biology and/or micro/nanofluidics and in the design of bioanalytical assays would be a strong asset.
You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Swedish is not a requirement but Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210003 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 15 February 2021

For questions, please contact:
Professor Fredrik Westerlund, Chemical Biology, fredrikw@chalmers.se, 031-7723049

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***