PhD position on the role of ribosomal protein defects in cancer pathogenesis

The laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer (KU Leuven, Belgium, www.LDMC.be) is looking for a motivated PhD researcher. Whereas a lot of research on disease biology and cancer has focused on dysregulated gene expression at the level of transcription, our lab has built up a strong research track on disease mechanisms due to defective protein translation, for instance by mutations in ribosomal proteins.

Project

Mutations targeting different ribosomal proteins (RPs) have been identified in a variety of cancers. We previously showed that the RPL10-R98S mutation has profound effects on the ribosomal protein translation function, driving hypertranslation of the BCL2 and PSPH oncogenes, and creating therapeutically exploitable vulnerabilities in RPL10-R98S mutated T-cell leukemia cells. In contrast, other defects such as loss of RPL5, the most common ribosome defect in cancer, hardly affect the cellular translatome. In this project, we will apply functional genomics approaches to understand how RPL5-defective cells get transformed to malignancy and what therapeutic vulnerabilities are present in these cells after transformation.

Profile

• You obtained a medical degree or master in biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering or any other relevant discipline.
• You have a thorough knowledge and understanding of molecular biology, cancer biology and of techniques used in a modern life sciences laboratory.
• Practical experience in working with mammalian cell cultures and/or with standard molecular biology techniques is a plus (transfection, PCR, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, cloning,…). Also having a FELASA certificate and/or expertise on working with mouse models is beneficial.
• Experience on analyzing -omics data and using R-scripting for statistical and data analysis are considered as a plus.
• Apart from being a true team player, the candidate is expected to develop a high degree of independence after initial training, to have a problem-solving attitude and have strong analytical abilities.
• You are fluent in English, both written and spoken, and have excellent communication and presentation skills.

Offer

• An exciting job in a friendly and dynamic lab which values human wellbeing and proper supervision of PhD students.
• A stimulating and supportive international research environment at KU Leuven, an international top research institute.
• You will be part of an excellent doctoral school programme offering a variety of training opportunities to broaden your knowledge and academic career skills.
• 1-year PhD position that will be extended for 3 additional years provided a positive evaluation after year 1. The successful candidate will also be encouraged and will get full support to obtain an own fellowship (e.g. from FWO).
• Our lab is situated in Leuven, a charming and vibrant university city that is only a 20 minutes train ride away from the city of Brussels, at the heart of Europe.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Kim De Keersmaecker, tel.: +32 16 37 31 67, mail: [email protected] or Mr. Marino Caruso, tel.: +32 16 37 91 35, mail: [email protected].

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