The laboratory of Didier Surdez (Bone Sarcoma Research Laboratory) at the University of Zurich is looking for a PhD candidate to decipher spatiotemporal drivers of metastasis in Ewing sarcoma.
The group studies bone sarcoma and in particular Ewing sarcoma, the second most frequent bone tumor of childhood and adolescence. This cancer is characterized by a pathognomonic chromosomal translocation and few additional recurrent mutations. Among those, we identified STAG2 mutation as the most frequent one and highlighted its association with poor prognosis (Tirode et al., 2014, Cancer Discov). We recently showed how STAG2 mutation alters the generation of chromatin loops and conducts to increased invasive/metastatic properties of these mutated Ewing sarcoma cells (Surdez et al. 2021, Cancer Cell) and how STAG2 mutation favors the transformation of mesenchymal stem cells into Ewing sarcoma (Sole et al. 2021, Cancer Res).
Your responsibilities
The PhD candidate will combine wet and dry lab expertise, use cutting-edge molecular and genetic approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets against Ewing sarcoma. More specifically, this PhD project aims at:
1) Deciphering the molecular pathways driving these invasive/metastatic phenotypes using a spatial transcriptomics approach (Visium – 10x Genomics) in established 3D tumor models.
2) Implementing a new high throughput peptide screening approach to prevent metastasis in Ewing sarcoma.
Your profile
- MSc in biological sciences or related field
- A good background in cell culture and molecular biology techniques
- Dynamic, team player and good communication and organizational skills
- Solid knowledge in English
What we offer
The laboratory has a strong expertise in genetic, epigenetic and preclinical approaches in sarcoma. We are a dynamic and growing team implementing cutting-edge research and developing tomorrow’s treatments against pediatric, adolescent and young adult bone sarcomas. You will work alongside other lab members and integrate the PhD Program in Cancer Biology of the University of Zürich. Salary for PhD students is set by the Swiss National Science Foundation (CHF 47’040.- in the 1st year; 48’540.- in the 2nd year; 50’040.- in the 3rd and 4th year). You will benefit form a modern campus with state-of-the-art infrastructures.
Place of work
Balgrist Campus, Lengghalde 5, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland
Start of employment
Employment start date to be mutually agreed (position is available immediately for 3 years with the possibility of prolongation). Application deadline: 26.06.2022
Please send a CV, a motivation letter and 1-2 recommendation letters to didier.surdez@uzh.ch