We currently have an opening for a postdoc position focusing on the interaction of tumor cells with tumor-associated macrophages.

Research project
We have previously shown that the epigenomes of innate immune cells such as monocytes and macrophages change following exposure to inflammatory environmental cues or upon tumor-microenvironment interactions and that these changes are maintained over time (memory). Cells within healthy or tumor tissues interact/communicate through cell-cell contacts and/or by sending/receiving secreted molecules thereby modulating the cell state. Naive macrophages recruited to the site of the tumor are turned into tumor supporters instead of tumor adversaries by complex communication instigated by the cancer cells.  You will be using single cell approaches to identify the factors and mechanisms underlying the (re)programming of the macrophages instigated by the solid tumor such as in the brain. You will be analyzing and monitoring disease development and effect of the treatment in close collaboration with clinicians.   
Important questions to tackle are the influence of the epigenome in the pathogenesis and to identify the intricate and complex processes triggered by interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment and how to revert these adverse mechanisms.

Tasks and responsibilities
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic post-doc, who excels in a stimulating, multi-disciplinary research environment. The candidate will perform single-cell biological characterization to predict and define (dys)functional pathways and tumor-innate immune cell interactions. The project will yield important information on tumor maintenance and tumor pro- and regression and unveil novel targets for treatment.

Education and skills
We expect a highly motivated candidate with a PhD degree in molecular biology or equivalent. Excellent experimental skills and in-depth knowledge in immunology are are required. Experience in the analysis of NGS and epigenome data would be highly beneficial. Affinity with bioinformatics analyses are highly preferred and programming skills will be an advantage (R/Python, bash). The candidate should also be a team player with excellent communication skills .

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

A full-time position (36 hours a week) initially for one year with the option of extension. You will be working in a very stimulating and cross-disciplinary research environment, combining cutting-edge research with state-of-the-art molecular technologies. Your gross monthly salary will depend on experience and background, starting in scale 60 with 8,33% gross monthly salary holiday allowance and 8,33 % end-of-year bonus. The Princess Máxima Center operates according to the collective labour agreement ‘Cao Algemene Ziekenhuizen’.

Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology

The Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology is a research hospital concentrating healthcare, research and education concerning cancer in children in a single location in Utrecht. The institute aims to provide the highest level of care for all children with cancer and has the ambition to cure all children of cancer and significantly reduce unwanted side effects. The center brings together the best possible care and scientific research, creating a unique interdisciplinary institute for pediatric oncology in Europe.

About the Stunnenberg group

The Stunnenberg team has a long-standing track record in applying genomic, epigenomic and bioinformatics approaches to decipher the (dys)regulated molecular mechanisms and pathways in health and disease. Our expertise in epigenome/transcriptome analysis of cancer and immune cell puts us in an ideal position to study the interplay between immune and cancer cells with a focus on pediatric solid tumors. We are applying single cell technologies such as single-cell RNA-and ATAC-sequencing to unravel the tumor cell heterogeneity, clonal variation in tumor-initiating cells and to identify markers predictive of treatment (in)sensitivity or disease recurrence.