Two Postdoctoral Fellowships: protein chemistry and CAR-T cell therapy

Umeå University (Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad6oo4KtKYU ) is dedicated to providing creative environments for learning and work. More than 4300 employees and 33979 students from over 60 nationalities have already chosen Umeå University. The recent breakthrough researches from Umeå include deciphering the molecular mechanisms of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas9 system and repurposing it into a tool for genome editing, a method developed at Umeå university that was awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020.

The Wu lab is located within the cross-disciplinary Chemical Biological Centre (https://www.umu.se/en/kbc  at Umeå University and is affiliated with Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, a Centre of Excellence Sweden (https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ ). The lab is fully equipped for biological and chemical research with access to excellent facilities and state-of-art equipment and platforms in a creative, inspiring, international and highly interactive environment. Facilities include Protein Expertise Platform, X-ray, proteomics, NMR (850-400 MHz), cryo-EM and Biochemical Imaging Centre (confocal, FLIM, spinning disk, TIRF, STORM).

Project 1 (protein chemistry):

Chemical modification of proteins with synthetic probes, such as fluorophores, post-translational modifications is enormously useful for characterizing protein function. Our work has been focused on synthesis of post-translationally modified proteins (ChemBioChem 2011, 2013, 2020, Bioorg Med Chem 2017). We are interested in developing new methods for protein modification/labeling (Angew Chem 2011, JACS 2014, Chem Comm 2015, Angew Chem 2016, Chem Sci 2022). These methodologies have been valuable for visualizing biochemical reactions in living systems and proteomic studies. Such developments not only facilitate the study of the membrane trafficking and autophagy that we are interested but contribute new tools to the larger biological field. The techniques used in the project include protein/peptide synthesis, protein expression and purification, and biochemical characterization.

Project 2 (CAR-T cell therapy):

Cell-based therapies are emerging strategies for cancer immunotherapy; however, common side effects are off-tumor damage and systemic inflammatory toxicity due to lack of precision. There is a need of photo-controllable chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells that can enable selective tuning of activity only at the designated location (e.g., a tumor). Our lab has developed novel chemo-optogenetic systems for controlling cellular activities by light with high spatiotemporal precision (Angew Chem 2014, 2017, 2018, 2018, Chemistry 2019, Nat Meth 2023). This project will combine CAR-T cell engineering with chemo-optogenetic systems to enable precision CAR-T therapy. The techniques used in the project include molecular cloning, CRISPR-Cas9 technology, cell imaging and western blotting.

The project is funded by European Research Council (ERC). The project is interdisciplinary with strong collaborations across scientific disciplines. The 2-year fellowship (624 000 SEK) for each postdoc is tax-exempt and with start as soon as possible.

Qualifications

To qualify as a postdoctoral fellowship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in biochemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, cell biology, organic chemistry or in another relevant field. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about fellowship recipient.

Preference should be given to applicants who received their degree no more than three years before the end of the application period. Applicants who received their doctoral degree earlier may be considered in special circumstances. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, elected positions in trade unions, or similar circumstances.

The successful candidate is expected to independently further their own studies but also be in close collaboration with other members of the team. Independence and good ability to collaborate are therefore requirements. Good command of written and spoken English is also a requirement.

Experiences in protein/peptide chemistry, protein expression and purification, molecular cloning, membrane biochemistry, and/or in vitro reconstitution are strong merits for project 1, as is a good record of research publication.

Experiences in molecular cloning, CRISPR-Cas9 technology and/or mice models are strong merits for project 2, as is a good record of research publication.

Application

The application should include:

Submit your application as a single PDF marked with the “Postdoc application” in the subject field of the email, to yaowen.wu@umu.se . Application deadline is 31 March 2023.

For more information, please contact Professor, Yaowen Wu, Department of Chemistry, https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/yaowen-wu/

More about the employer

At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each other’s successes. If you are interested in knowing about Umeå University as a workplace, read more at: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/ .

Umeå University also offers a strong postdoc community with the Umeå Postdoc Society (UPS) which fosters networking amongst postdocs, organises social and career development events and works towards improving the postdoc experience at Umea campus. Check out their website: https://umeapostdocsociety.se/ , and do not hesitate to get in contact with them early on!

We welcome your application!

Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,

Copy of max 3 relevant research articles,

Contact information of two persons willing to act as references,

Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

Submit your application as a single PDF marked with the “Postdoc application” in the subject field of the email, to yaowen.wu@umu.se . Application deadline is 31 March 2023.

For more information, please contact Professor, Yaowen Wu, Department of Chemistry, https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/yaowen-wu/

More about the employer

At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each other’s successes. If you are interested in knowing about Umeå University as a workplace, read more at: https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/ .

Umeå University also offers a strong postdoc community with the Umeå Postdoc Society (UPS) which fosters networking amongst postdocs, organises social and career development events and works towards improving the postdoc experience at Umea campus. Check out their website: https://umeapostdocsociety.se/ , and do not hesitate to get in contact with them early on!

We welcome your application!