Utløpt

3 Year PhD Student Fellowship in Nanomedicine

Arbeidsgiver: Oslo universitetssykehus HF
Stillingstittel: PhD Student
Frist: 01.12.2020
Ansettelsesform: Engasjement

The groups of "Intracellular Transport" and "Experimental Cancer Therapeutics" at the Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, offer an Early Stage Researcher (ESR = PhD student) position on the project "Exploitation of Immune Cell Infiltration for Optimal Nanoparticle-based Cancer Treatment". The project is part of the Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska - Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN) project "DIRNANO - Directing the immune response through designed nanomaterials" and will be conducted in close collaboration with the Norwegian company PCI Biotech.

The Project

Background and objectives:
The importance of tumor-stroma interactions in cancer development, progression and treatment is increasingly emphasized. Is has been shown that crosstalk with the immune microenvironment may significantly influence cancer treatment even for regimens not previously anticipated to depend upon immune responses. The mechanisms involved in these interactions are starting to be revealed, but it is still largely unknown how tumor-stroma communication promotes treatment responses and/or resistance. This is certainly true for nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery.

The ESR (PhD student) will investigate how nanoparticles can be modulated and used to recruit immune cells that can potentiate the effect of anti-cancer agents. The objectives are:
1) Characterize NP-induced immune cell infiltration in tumors;
2) Identify NP formulations recruiting immune cells with anti-cancer potential and exploit whether such mechanisms can be used to enhance therapeutic efficacy;
3) Construct NPs with dual targeting possibilities allowing eradication of both cancer cells and immune-suppressive cells.

Outline of the project

We will primarily work with chitosan-based NPs linked to a photosensitizer that upon light exposure has been shown to induce immune responses, but we will also use NPs produced by other members of the DIRNANO consortium. The PhotoChemical Internalization (PCI) technology is owned by the company PCI Biotech AS, and the PhD student will work closely together with the company. The practical work will include cell culture studies on NP uptake/internalization in immune- and cancer cells, as well as biodistribution and efficacy studies in laboratory mice. Targeting strategies allowing eradication of both immune-and cancer cells will be investigated.
International collaborations and secondments are foreseen in Department of Oncology, Angiogenesis Unit of the Fundacion Rioja Salud to investigate immune activation in transgenic mouse models, and to Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova to produce NPs with targeting moieties.

Personal qualifications and skills

Applicants should be highly motivated individuals with Master of Science in Biology, Immunology, Cancer Biology or related disciplines, and with background within the fields of immunology, tumor biology, molecular biology or related fields.

The candidates should appreciate working in an international and interactive environment, should have the ability to work independently and also in collaboration with others, and have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie candidates comply with the following conditions:

Mobility rule: Have not resided in the country of the recruiting university (Norway) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date 01 March 2021 and have not carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country (Norway) - unless as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.

Early Stage Researcher: be - at the date of recruitment (01 March 2021) - an "Early Stage Researcher-ESR" (i.e. in the first four years of his/her research career and not have a doctoral degree).

We offer

Salary according to guidelines from Oslo University Hospital
Vibrant scientific and working environment at Institute for Cancer Research, OUS
Dynamic research environment composed of 15 PhD students engaged in the same MSCA-ITN network
International networking and two secondments to other project partners in the ITN network
Opportunities and support for career development

Om arbeidsgiveren

Developing tomorrow's treatment - together with the patient.

Oslo University Hospital with 22 000 employees is a learning and forward-thinking organization. We have a leading role in the development of research and innovation, as well as the development of tomorrow's healthcare, precision medicine and treatment. Here you will find some of Norway's leading experts in their fields, and be part of the largest health care workplace in the country. Our work environment is characterized by openness and respect. Regardless of educational background or experience, you will have the opportunity to develop and use your expertise in a place where it really matters.

Sektor: Offentlig
Sted: Ullernchausseen 70, 0379 Oslo