Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

Are you interested in stem cells and cancer, and you want to work in a diverse and multicultural lab at the heart of the Swiss Alps in the scenic city of Lausanne? A PhD position in tissue engineering is available in the Habib lab (www.habiblab.org) at the department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Lausanne. The Habib lab has engineered a novel human bone tissue that maintains bone-stem cells and a cascade of osteogenic differentiation. The tissue can be used for drug screening and bone repair. They also developed novel bandages that can promote bone repair in vivo. These technologies resulted in a patent, over 107 news articles and a televised coverage in CBS-News.    Despite surgery and chemotherapy, long-term survival rates for patients of the bone cancer osteosarcoma have not improved for three decades. Osteosarcoma remain the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in paediatric patients. Osteosarcoma stem cells (OSCS) derive the tumour growth. This project will utilise OSCs and healthy bone stem cells to engineer 3D osteosarcomas. The student will increase the complexity of the tissue by adding immune and vasculature cells. They will initially investigate the epigenetic and metabolic profiles of the engineered tissue. They will apply RNAseq, gene editing and CRISPR approaches to investigate specific pathways that impact the tumour tissue formation. The engineered tumour tissue will be subjected to a high-throughput drug screen to identify molecules that can target OSCs and their progenies in vitro and in osteosarcoma animal models. This project will build on our recent progress in this area (Okuchi et al Nature Materials 2021). You should hold a MSc degree in a biological/bioengineering science or related disciplines, be highly motivated and have an interest in developmental signalling and tumour biology.

Job information

Expected start date: 01.06.2024 or to be agreed

Contract length: 1 year, renewable 2 years

Activity rate: 85%

Workplace: University of Lausanne, Department of Biomedical sciences (DBS, https://www.unil.ch/dsb/fr/home.html), Habib lab (www.habiblab.org).

 

Your responsibilities

•    Develop and undertake research of high quality consistent with making an active contribution in line with the lab and department research strategies

•    Purification of signalling proteins (e.g., Wnt)

•    Biomaterial synthesis

•    Assist in data analysis and bioinformatics

•    Assist in gene cloning and genome editing

•    Working with mice as an animal model for research

•    Contribute to the general day-to-day running of the tissue culture and research laboratory, including preparation of communal media and solutions, maintenance of equipment and maintaining stocks of consumables

•    Carry out individual research project to an agreed timeline and within a specific budget

•    Assist the group leader and department manager in ensuring compliance with Health and Safety regulations within the group

•    Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings at internal meetings and external conferences

•    Facilitate collaboration and networking which engages and supports the activities of the Habib lab and the Centre as a whole

•    Contribute to publications arising from the research projects

•    From time to time, the post-holder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the grade of the post within the department and division.

•    To use a broad range of technical or practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical or scientific practices and procedures acquired through on-the-job    experience and/or vocational training

•    To provide colleagues with advice and guidance as required

•    To be responsive to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context, maximising the efficiency of the technical support being provided and resolving problems as they arise

•    To forge relationships with colleagues in the Department, Faculty and University, in order to deliver the required support as well as to contribute to process development and the adoption of best practice

•    To foster a stimulating, innovative and inclusive cultural environment across the faculty enabling students and staff to thrive and develop, ensuring that processes and policies are visible, accessible and transparent

•    To provide advice and guidance and, where appropriate, training on university policies, processes and where required, source information and support for colleagues to facilitate their work

•    To actively engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Student Commitment.

•    To take part in public out-reach when needed.

 

Your qualifications

You must hold MSc degree in biological/bioengineering sciences or relevant disciplines or MSc is near completion. To complete our team, we are looking for someone with the following skills: Desirable criteria :

1. Experience in stem cell research

2. Experience in working in Tissue Culture

3. Experience in gene cloning/editing

4. Experience in microscopy

5. Experience in working with purified proteins and protein biochemistry

6. Ability to handle animals for experimental work

7. knowledge in bone and tumor biology

8. Knowledge in biomaterials and tissue engineering

9. Knowledge in epigenetics

10. Knowledge in cell metabolism

11. Experience in tissue processing

 

 

What the position offers you

Lausanne enjoys an international scientific environment. The lab is adjacent to the CHUV  hospital and has access to the state-of-art multi-institute bioengineering and imaging platforms at Agora. We offer a competitive salary, international collaboration, an inclusive working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, attending national and international meetings and access to UNIL sports and wellbeing facilities.

 

Contact for further information

N/A

 

Your application

Deadline: 10.05.2024

 

Please submit your CV (maximum 2 sides of A4), publication list and a covering letter.  In your covering letter (maximum one side of A4), please summarize your previous research experience(s) and explain how do you meet the criteria above.  

 

Only applications through this website will be taken into account. We thank you for your understanding

 

Additional information

UNIL is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
www.unil.ch/egalite

UNIL supports early career researchers.
www.unil.ch/graduatecampus