丹麦南丹麦大学博士后职位–空间转录组学方向

Postdoc in Spatial Transcriptomics

At the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark we are looking for a highly motivated researcher for a two-year position, who will work with state-of-the-art spatial transcriptomics, transcriptomics, and bioimaging to comprehensively characterize cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions in healthy and diseased human tissues. The position is to commence 1 September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The revolution in single-cell transcriptomics have shown the need for spatially resolved technologies to visualize cellular diversity and interactions in the context of intact tissues. This has led to the recent development of new technologies to acquire full transcriptome wide data at single cell level and with high spatial resolution. These new technologies are likely to transform our understanding of biological processes and human diseases and form the basis for development of new treatments.

W e are focused on state-of-the-art imaging-based technologies for spatial transcriptomics. We have implemented MERFISH technology to elucidate tissue microenvironments in both patient and animal biopsies and in complex disease models using engineered tissues. Specifically, we are developing three MERFISH platforms for spatial transcriptomics at different scales to visualize the transcriptome from whole tissue slices, down to transcript distribution and co-localization at the sub-organellar scale.

Job description

The research focus for this position is to integrate these techniques with conventional transcriptomics and bioimaging, to characterize cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions in healthy and diseased human tissues including skin biopsies, 3D bioprinted human skin models, and liver biopsies.

A main goal of the work, regarding the study of human skin, will be to understand the molecular bases for its mechanical properties. We will therefore thoroughly characterize the effect of mechanical stimuli on the tissue by performing single-cell transcriptomics and MERFISH on unstimulated and mechanically challenged skin. We expect to identify hundreds of novel regulators of skin mechanical properties, which we will use to improve the properties of bioprinted human skin models.

Regarding the human liver, we wish to resolve hepatic tissue plasticity and  infer cellular interactions from liver biopsies. Cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions are instrumental to disease progression. Comprehensive cell interaction trajectories will hence be inferred from single-cell transcriptomics and MERFISH data and linked to disease stage and detailed patient characterization to gain novel insight into the cellular and structural basis for disease.

Your qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist.

Essential experience and skills:

·         A PhD in molecular biology, biophysics, nanotechnology, physics, biochemistry, or a similar field.

·         Experience with transcriptomics, single-cell transcriptomics, and/or spatial transcriptomics such as MERFISH.

·         Experience with analysis of transcriptomics data.

·         Proficient communication skills and the ability and desire to work as part of a team.

·         Excellent English skills, both written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

·         Experience with bioimaging and preparation of biological samples for microscopy.

·         Molecular biology skills such as qPCR and in vitro transcription for MERFISH probe design.

·         Experience with single molecule localization microscopy (STORM).

Deadline

15 August 2022.

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk.s