Postdoctoral Position in Cancer Stem Cell

The Department of Biomedicine (DBM), a joint venture of the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel, brings together basic and clinical scientists to improve our understanding of health and disease. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will become part of a young team investigating cancer stem cells and the molecular mechanisms of their regulation, a promising and dynamic field of research where your contribution can make a real difference.

Scientific Background

Stem cells are rare populations of cells that in their primordial (i.e., ontological) significance serve as clonal founders of embryonic or adult somatic structures, while retaining a largely undifferentiated status themselves. Although adapted to tissue context, a recurrent feature of stem cells is the expression of pluripotency-inducing transcription factors, among which OCT4, KLF4, cMYC and SOX2. It is this set of four (or even less under certain conditions) that is indeed capable of reprogramming adult body cells into conditions of induced pluripotency. However, untimely or dysregulated expression of pluripotency factors is also related to the onset and progression of cancer.

The specific project you will be involved in aims to further elucidate the functionality of SOX2, whose molecular regulation is a long-standing interest of ours and which we have recently discovered is also actively involved in translation (i.e., in protein synthesis by ribosomes, see Schaefer et al., Cell Reports 2024). The unforeseen discovery of a translational role of cytosolic SOX2, distinct from its established significance as a pluripotency factor in the nucleus, holds great promise for advances in reprogramming technology and the fight against cancer.
Your Assignments

You will actively contribute to the isolation and molecular-functional characterization of SOX2/ribosome complexes, a presumably distinct form of ribosomes characteristic of SOX2-positve stem and cancer stem cells. These supposed “stemness ribosomes" shall be enriched and analysed regarding their (i) molecular composition, (ii) specific transcript load, and (iii) structure. Key technologies involved will be (without limitation): density gradient centrifugation, ribosome profiling, affinity purifications, RNA extractions and library cloning. Your principal work objective will be the provision of sufficiently pure analytes and - in exchange with experts in their respective disciplines (our long-standing international collaborators and the DBM core facilities) - their more specific characterization by HPLC/MS, RIBOseq, and cryo-EM. The pinnacle goal, prospectively, is the characterisation of the SOX2/ribosome interface as a new chemical space for pharmacological intervention.
We are looking forward to applications from highly motivated, young researchers (m/f/d) with a basic education in the life sciences and a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, or equivalent. MD PhDs with a strong affinity for the natural sciences can be excellent candidates, too. A preceding research history in the fields of ribosomes, RNA, and library cloning would be ideal, but is presumably too specialized to be requested jointly. Rather, as science is more about constant learning and determination than experience, we are looking forward to applicants with a solid research track in protein and/or RNA biochemistry and a strong drive to succeed. Indeed, we are not looking for participants, but for achievers (certainly within and potentially also outside the academic context). A good command of English is mandatory, of German helpful. Candidates with an international career step (e.g., an internship, PhD, or first postdoctoral assignment abroad) will be preferred. Experience in animal work is not required for this job assignment, but will be considered as is any additional form of qualification. What really counts for us, however, more than any individual grade or specific practical training, is a positive work attitude, reliability, commitment and - most importantly - genuine curiosity and interest in research.
The Department of Biomedicine is an equal opportunity employer and a cutting-edge research facility that provides excellent training and career development opportunities for his affiliates. We offer a comprehensive salary at flexible working hours and welcome applications from all ages, genders and ethnicities. Our research is funded by the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation (KFS) and, more recently, by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). For a general introduction to the subject, please read: Schaefer and Lengerke, Oncogene 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0997-x. For more detailed information on the role of SOX2 in translation, see: Schaefer et al., Cell Reports 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114807. The discovery of a translational significance of SOX2 opens up an entirely new field of research and unpublished results in support of this advertisement suggest a great scientific perspective for your employment with us. In sum: We are happy to offer a platform for committed young researchers who have a genuine interest in science and wish to let their light shine.
Application / Contact

Please submit your CV together with a concise motivation letter, copies of relevant certificates (diplomas/degrees), one selected publication that best describes you in your preceding career as a scientist, and the name and email address of at least one reference (minimally your last employer and/or academic supervisor). Candidates will be contacted online and invited to an on-site interview. All applicants will be notified with respect to the outcome.