Postdoctoral researcher in cancer immunometabolism

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by enhancing the immune system's anti-cancer capabilities. Despite its success, the heterogeneous response among patients and the distinct sensitivity observed in primary tumors versus metastases necessitate a more profound understanding. Recent studies have pinpointed metabolic pathways as vulnerabilities within the tumor's immune microenvironment. However, the impact of local nutrient conditions on metabolic reprogramming and T cell function remains largely unexplored. To tackle this gap, our laboratory is dedicated to unraveling the metabolic competition between T cells and tumor cells in distinct metabolic niches. Our objective is to modulate their metabolic activity, promoting T cell infiltration into metabolically challenging areas where immune cells can effectively eliminate tumor cells, achieving a comprehensive response to immunotherapy. Employing cutting-edge techniques such as imaging mass spectrometry, multiplex flow cytometry, and 13C tracer analysis, our research aims to contribute crucial insights to the field.
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Responsibilities

The selected candidate will have the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of cancer metastasis, spatial biology, immunology, and metabolism. The candidate is expected to:

• Design and executehigh-quality, hypothesis-driven experiments.
• Collaborate closely with and help supervisePhD students, technicians, and master’s studentsinvolved in the project.
• Manage and coordinateproject timelines and ensure the successful achievement of key milestones.
• Contribute todata interpretationand play an active role in preparingpublicationsand presentations from team projects.
• Engage in national and international collaborations.
• Present research findings atseminars, workshops, and international conferences
• Design and execute high-quality experiments.
• Closely collaborate and supervise PhDs, technicians, and master students involved in the project.
• Effectively manage projects, ensuring their successful completion and timely achievement of milestones
• Help with data interpretation and play a key role in the publication of the results of team collaborative projects.
• Engage in national and international collaborations.
• Present research findings in seminars and international conferences.

Profile

• You must hold a Ph.D. degree in life sciences, medicine, biotechnology, biosciences, biomedicine, or equivalent related fields from a recognized university.
• You have a background in cancer biology, immunology, and/or metabolism.
• You have experience working with mouse models and mammalian cell cultures, molecular biology techniques (cloning, western blot, qPCR..), and immunology analysis.
• Experience withbioinformatics(e.g., analysis of large-scale omics datasets) orspatial biologyis a strong advantage.
• You are highly motivated and independent.
• You work well in a team.
• You have experience in coordinating multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
• You have a solid publication record in this field.
• You are fluent in English.

Offer

• A stimulating and international research environment.
• Work at the forefront of tumor immunometabolism on an ERC-funded project, leveraging cutting-edge approaches such as spatial metabolomics, immune profiling, and humanized mouse models.
• Numerous training opportunities and possibilities to collaborate with core facilities and leaders in the field.
• A full-time contract for a year with the possibility of extension for (at least) two more years provided a positive evaluation. You are encouraged to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship.
• KU Leuven is amongEurope’s most innovative universities, located in the vibrant and historic city ofLeuven, just 20 minutes from Brussels.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Ilaria Elia, tel.: +32 16 19 42 53, mail: [emailprotected].

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