.Postdoctoral Position (funded by Worldwide Cancer Research)The Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) is a biomedical research institution of the University of Navarra, based in Pamplona, Spain.
CIMA's research on cellular and molecular biology has a deep translational patient orientation and aims to solve unmet medical needs.Strategically linked to Clínica Universidad de Navarra (CUN), CIMA brings fundamental research closer to its clinical application and paves the way for the development of products for diagnosis and treatment.The main purpose of the Centre is to carry out high-quality scientific work combating diseases especially in areas of unmet medical need.
To this end, CIMA retains the academic approach of the University of Navarra as a source of new research ideas and talent and works together with biopharmaceutical companies, academia and other institutions with an open innovation approach.Fundación para la Investigación Médica Aplicada is a non-profit organisation established in 1998 by the University of Navarra for the management of CIMA.The Oncogenes and Effector Target (OnTarget) group is looking for a postdoctoral scientist to lead a project aimed at the characterization of a new combination strategy based on KRAS inhibitors for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.The project will require, among other tasks:Testing of novel combinatorial therapies using in vitro (cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, time-to-progression assays) and in vivo (human cell- and patient-derived xenografts, mouse allografts) models.Dissection of the mechanism of action of drug combinations or nominated genes using high-throughput (RNAseq, scRNAseq, ChIPseq, WES, multiplex cytometry and IF, proteomics and/or metabolomics) and focused (Western blot, qPCR) approaches.Our work aims to understand the underlying mechanisms involved in mutant KRAS-driven oncogenesis around two unresolved aspects of KRAS biology:The identification of key transcriptional and functional mediators of cancer initiation and progression.The discovery of novel therapeutic approaches and the characterization of resistance mechanisms.The project is in line with previous studies by the group and will be carried out within the framework of the new Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Navarra (CCUN).
The project will provide opportunities for interaction with other groups (internally, nationally and internationally) as well as industry partners.Minimum Requirements:PhD in biological or biomedical sciences.Self-motivated, resilient, autonomous person with teamwork and communication skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with different research groups (basic scientists, computational biologists, oncologists).Background in Cancer Biology and/or Immunotherapy is preferred, and experience with mouse work is required.Initiative and willingness to lead the project and supervise in-training students