Post-Doc Position 80-100%

Universitätsspital Zürich

Universitätsspital Zürich

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Key information

  • Publication date:

    10 January 2024
  • Workload:

    80 – 100%
  • Contract type:

    Permanent position
  • Language:

    English (Fluent)
  • Place of work:

    Zürich
Das Universitätsspital Zürich ist eines der grössten Spitäler in der Schweiz. Unsere über 8'600 Mitarbeitenden und rund 700 Auszubildende setzen sich täglich für das Wohl unserer Patient:innen ein. Knapp 39'000 stationäre Patientinnen und Patienten und rund 800'000 ambulante Konsultationen pro Jahr zeugen von dem grossen Vertrauen in das USZ und seine Mitarbeitenden.
Field: lymphedema pathobiology, T cell Immunology, lymphatic vascular biology and drug re-purposing Groups of Prof. N. Lindenblatt - Deputy Director & PD Dr. sc. nat. E. Gousopoulos, Junior Consultant, Clinic of Plastic and Hand Surgery, USZ As of May/June 2024 (starting date negotiable) there is an opening for a post-doc. Contract for 2 years, renewable.

Field of research

Secondary lymphedema is one of the most common side effects of oncologic surgery (breast cancer, melanomas, sarcomas, gynaecological tumors etc.) and it is estimated that 20-25% of all patients receiving lymphadenectomy will develop a measurable degree of lymphedema, thus indicating the immense size of the suffering population. Lymphedema is still deprived from a therapeutic treatment, being treated only symptomatically thus far. In the last years though, our group performed significant progress in deciphering parts of lymphedema's pathophysiology, by building a dedicated tissue library and identifying distinct immune populations that can critically affect the onset and progress of the disease. Importantly, preliminary usage of specific pharmacological candidates in a concept of drug-repurposing was able to significantly manipulate the condition.

This project focuses on determining in greater depth the mechanisms and key molecular players underlying the observed pharmacological effect. A combination of pre-clinical studies and usage of human probes deriving from the operating room, as well as in vitro experiments with freshly isolated tissue (human or rodent origin) will be the main components of your research. A wide range of cutting-edge methods will be used, expanding your research portfolio and challenging our boundaries.

Your involvement in smaller side-projects, which do not fall far from your main project, is possible and expected (ongoing external collaborations, support of PhDs or master students), providing you the opportunity to gain supervision experience, develop synergies and a rich publication portfolio.

Techniques to be included: genetic screening (in collaboration with the Functional Genomic Center), histology, flow cytometry analysis and sorting (FACS/ Aurora/ Cytoflex), cell culture (human or rodent/mouse primary cells, including but not restricted to endothelial cells, stromal vascular fraction and adipocytes), ELISAs, western blots, metabolic assays e.g. Seehorse, advanced microscopy incl. intravital microscopy. Animal studies with different genetic models will be included, depending on the project progress and phase. Clinical data analysis.

Your Qualifications and Responsibilities
  • A doctoral degree in biology, pharmaceutical sciences, medicine (basic research) or related fields
  • Fluent in English. Good knowledge of German is highly valued
  • Intellectual and personal flexibility, openness and with empathy
  • Experience in grant writing
  • Self-reliant work style and high self-motivation. Ambition to perform and create impact
  • Able to analyse, interpret and document research findings for review; compare actuals and expected results and suggest solutions
  • Highest research work ethos, constantly evaluating existing research or modelling techniques and recommend improvements to ensure quality and productivity
  • Proven record in experience with research, lab work, and study management
  • Willingness to work in a transdisciplinary, international, and diverse research consortia
  • Willingness to delve into human pathobiology beside the usage of pre-clinical models and think inter-disciplinary
  • Able to supervise younger colleagues (Master students, PhDs)

Your Profile

You have recently completed your PhD or have already earned some post-doc experience. You can presumably perform mostly independent research, collaborate on a multischolar research initiative or even may be able to lead responsibility for discrete components of a larger project, all while under the general direction of a senior or principal researcher.

You have experience working in primary cell culture and/or animal models (LTK 1 already completed). The latter is a plus. You are willing to work with human-derived tissue and learn from the field of clinical science and human pathophysiology. Some of the techniques mentioned before have ideally already been part of your PhD portfolio and you feel confident using them in your daily routine.

You are able and want to work independently in the specific project(s), you work accurately and in an organized manner. A regular exchange with the direct supervisor is necessary, so that to be able to merge basic and clinical science harmonically. You have a team spirit, empathy and enjoy challenges. You are characterized by your drive to create impact and make things happen!

Applications from Switzerland and particularly Zurich (UZH & ETH) will be prioritized.

What is offered

A stimulating research environment on topics related to plastic surgery and beyond. Human-derived tissue is used in most aspects of the projects, adding to the translational nature of the research. A lot of research data have already been generated, enabling timely publication of your work. The lab is placed at the University Hospital Zurich, in the heart of the city of Zurich (Rämistrasse 100) and in the research facilities of the University Hospital in Schlieren. Your work may be supported by medical students performing their doctoral projects (3-6 months projects) or PhDs. You will be a part of the broader plastic surgery research lab. Due to the number and types of ongoing/future collaborations an attractive publication record in highly esteemed journal is usually provided and envisioned.
Universitätsspital Zürich
8091 Zürich
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  • Universitätsspital Zürich

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