Postdoc

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on, among other things, cancer, genetic and autoimmune diseases. Please read more about the department's activities here: www.uu.se/medarbetare/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi

Job Description The Postdoc will develop innovative and genetically defined leukemia cell line models to investigate how specific TP53 alterations affect cell behavior and clinically relevant phenotypes. The project will integrate genome editing, functional cancer biology, drug response profiling, high-content imaging, and quantitative data analysis.

Main Tasks

• Generate isogenic leukemia cell line models carrying clinically relevant TP53 alterations using CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing.
• Establish models representing distinct allelic states, including wild-type, heterozygous mutation, homozygous mutation, loss of heterozygosity, and TP53 null state.
• Define the effect of the TP53 genotype on proliferation, competitive fitness, cell cycle control, apoptosis, senescence-like phenotypes, DNA damage response, genomic stability, and stress adaptation.
• Assess how TP53 alterations affect sensitivity and resistance to clinically relevant therapies, including chemotherapy, hypomethylating agents, venetoclax-based combinations, DNA-damaging agents, irradiation, and new targeted treatments.
• Contribute to method development for applying Cell Painting to suspension cells and to machine learning models for the classification of TP53 variants.

Scope of Work Approximately 70–80% experimental/wet lab work, 20–30% data analysis, modeling, and manuscript preparation; the exact balance can be adapted to the candidate's profile and project needs.

Supervision The Postdoc will be scientifically supervised by the PI(s) of the leukemia/TP53 program and will collaborate closely with senior bioinformaticians, clinicians, and molecular geneticists; they may co-supervise master's/doctoral students in daily laboratory and analytical work.

Specific Responsibility/Decision-making Authority Lead the planning of experiments and analyses within the TP53 work package, including the selection of variants, cell models, and combined conditions. Make independent decisions regarding protocol optimization, feature selection, and computational workflows, in consultation with the project leader. Ensure data quality control, documentation, and reproducibility, and take a leading role in drafting manuscripts, presentations, and method descriptions for this project.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology, hematology, genetics, genomics, or a related discipline. The degree must be completed at the time of the employment decision. Priority is given to applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the application date. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been completed earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, union duties, etc.
• Documented experience in mammalian cell culture, preferably including hematopoietic or leukemia models and functional analyses (drug response, apoptosis, DNA damage, etc.).
• Knowledge of NGS-based genomics or transcriptomics (variant calling, RNA sequencing, single-cell or bulk analyses) and integration of multi-omics data is highly desirable.
• Excellent publication record relative to career stage, with at least one first-author article involving quantitative or image-based analysis.
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to work independently, and motivation to drive an interdisciplinary project at the interface of leukemia biology and computational analysis.
• Collaborative skills, good communication skills, and a willingness to work closely with wet lab, clinical, and computational partners.
• High degree of precision, accuracy, and enthusiasm for developing new analytical methods and translating results into precision medicine in leukemia.

Meritorious

• Good knowledge of cancer biology, preferably including leukemia, hematopoiesis, p53 biology, or functional genomics.
• Practical experience with CRISPR/Cas genome editing or related genetic engineering techniques.
• Experience with functional analyses such as viability assays, proliferation assays, apoptosis assays, cell cycle analyses, DNA damage analyses, or drug response experiments.

About the Employment The employment is fixed-term for 2 years according to the central collective agreement, with the possibility of a 1-year extension. The scope is full-time. Start date according to agreement. Location: Uppsala

Information about the employment is provided by: Thierry Soussi, thierry.soussi@igp.uu.se, Panagiotis Baliakas, panagiotis.baliakas@igp.uu.se

Welcome with your application no later than October 7, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2523

Please note that this is a shortened version of the advertisement. To see the full advertisement, please click on ”Apply here” or visit the Uppsala University website: https://uu.se/jobb/

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/

The employment may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, approval of the applicant is a prerequisite for employment.

We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance. Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system. Union representatives: Saco-S - saco-s@uu.se, Seko - seko@uadm.uu.se, ST (OFR/S) - ofr@uu.se

Open to all We focus on your competence, not your other circumstances. We are open to adapting the role or the workplace to your needs.