Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.
At the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, we research and teach in the fields of radiophysics and medical engineering, oncology, surgery and diagnostic radiology. We have internationally recognised research environments where the breadth of subject areas enables innovation and collaboration across borders. Most of our researchers and teachers work clinically in our premises at NUS - at the centre of our activities. Read more about the department at the Department of Diagnostics and Intervention, https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-diagnostics-and-intervention/
We are now looking for a postdoctoral researcher to spend 2 years studying potential strategies for early detection of cancer, with special emphasis on brain tumors and pancreatic cancer. We have large data sets of blood sampling before at and after diagnosis. The project aims to establish a prediction of different cancer subclasses by combing multiomics with diagnostic investigations such as CT scans or MRI. Umeå University and Region Västerbotten have unique opportunities to study how diseases arise by using samples collected long before diagnosis through the Västerbotten intervention project. The project is linked to the EUCAIIM project, testing different methods of facilitating the extraction of images and anonymisation of data sets over Europe. Please read more at https://www.egi.eu/project/eucaim/.
Project description The causes of brain tumours (gliomas) are not well understood, and there are no specific blood tests to discover glioma, the most common type of brain tumor today. We believe that if we understand how brain tumours arise, we can also find new opportunities for early diagnosis or new targets for treatment. For pancreatic cancer, we know there often are symptoms that precede the diagnosis. In this project, we have a special focus on how different diseases affect the risk of getting glioma and pancreatic cancer. There are studies that show that both diabetes and asthma seem to be protective against getting gliomas. The reasons behind this are so far unknown. More information about our publications and the research group can be found at: https://www.umu.se/forskning/grupper/beatrice-melin/ The project involves analysing imaging from CT scans and MRI with mass spectrometric data for quantified metabolites in blood and relating the data to health data and other -omics data using advanced bioinformatics.
Work tasks The tasks include detailed bioinformatic analyses of different types of omics and imaging data, literature searches, compiling results and writing manuscripts. Some administrative tasks such as convening group meetings may be included, as we usually rotate this in the group.
Authorisation/Competence Eligible to be employed as a postdoctoral researcher is a person who has obtained a doctoral degree, or a foreign degree as a deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, in a relevant subject such as biotechnology, bioinformatics, biostatistics or equivalent. This entry requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the recruitment decision.
You are proficient in metabolomics and imaging data analyses using suitable tools and have experience in working and driving intradisciplinary projects.
Good verbal and written skills in English are a requirement.
Experience of analysing biological data with different types of statistical methods is also required.
Proficiency in at least one programming language, such as R och Python, is an advantage.
Meritorious As the postdoctoral position is a merit-based position for junior researchers, we mainly target those with a doctoral degree no older than three years from the deadline for applications. If there are special reasons, those who have completed a doctoral degree earlier may be considered. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, positions of trust in trade unions or other similar circumstances, as well as service/assignments relevant to the subject area. Previous work with multivariate clinical datasets is considered a merit.
More about the job The position is a full-time, fixed-term employment for 2 years according to the terms of the agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoc from 1 February 2022.
The application The application must contain: - A brief description of your research interests and justification of why you are interested in the position. - CV - List of publications - Diploma from postgraduate programme and other relevant degrees. - Contact information for two reference persons
The application must be written in Swedish or English. Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system Varbi and be received by 20th of August 2024. We will select and call for an interview before Christmas.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Beatrice Melin beatrice.melin@umu.se or anna.dahlin@umu.se
Umeå universitet vill erbjuda en jämställd och jämlik miljö där öppna samtal mellan människor med olika bakgrund och perspektiv lägger grunden för lärande, skaparkraft och utveckling. Vi välkomnar därför personer med olika bakgrunder och erfarenheter att söka den aktuella anställningen.
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