NORPOD Postdoctoral position in cancer epigenomics

Job description

A three-year NORPOD post-doctoral fellow position in precision medicine is available in the group of Dr. Biswajyoti Sahu at the Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway in Oslo, Norway. NORPOD is a collaborative postdoctoral program of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. The partnership is a network of four national research centers across the Nordics and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), with complementary research expertise at the forefront of molecular medicine research. With the NORPOD program, the Nordic EMBL Partnership aims to foster the next generation of researchers in molecular medicine by implementing joint postdoctoral research projects to nurture strong competences and research excellence. The NORPOD postdoctoral program is modelled on EMBL´s EIPOD program that offers talented early career researchers opportunities to conduct ambitious postdoctoral research in a joint project involving 2 Nordic EMBL group leaders. 

The NORPOD Fellow will be employed at host institution NCMM in Oslo, Norway, in the group of Dr. Biswajyoti Sahu and Nordic partner node Institute of Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) in Helsinki, Finland, in the group of Dr. Rafa Najumudeen. To promote collaboration between the two labs, this position will involve short or long-term stays at NCMM and FIMM, and the candidates are expected to travel between the labs to conduct work required for the research project and foster synergies. We are seeking applications from highly motivated candidates working in the field of functional epigenomics, transcriptional regulation and cancer research. 

The project aims to uncover the epigenetic mechanisms underlying colon cancer initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. The project will utilize state-of-the-art organoid cultures and novel in vivo mouse models to identify key transcription factors (TF) and the role of cis-regulatory elements (CREs) in driving oncogenic processes in colorectal cancer. Genome-scale massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) will be utilized to measure and record the cis-regulatory activity. Our groups have relevant expertise in the above technologies, for example Sahu lab’s expertise in TFs, functional genomics methods and experience with MPRAs in cancer research and Najumudeen lab’s expertise in CRC biology, novel in vivo mouse and organoids models. We utilize a wide range of cutting-edge genome-wide approaches, from ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN and HiChIP to single-nuclei multiome RNA-seq and ATAC-seq assays, as well as CRISPR-based approaches for genome editing. This position is offered in an ambitious and inter-disciplinary team jointly shared between two research groups at the Nordic-EMBL partnership nodes in Oslo, Norway and Helsinki, Finland.

Work tasks

The tasks will generally include one or more of the following:

• Establishing and designing massively parallel reporter assays for measuring transcriptional and cis-regulatory activity
• Designing and performing genome-wide functional genomics experiments in organoids using modern methods such as ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN, as well as CRISPR-based approaches.
• Developing and adapting cutting-edge functional epigenomics assays based on Illumina sequencing.
• Computational analysis and integration of functional genomics datasets from next-generation sequencing methods.
• Gene editing in cancer organoid cultures and in vivo mouse experiments 
• Supervision and teaching of students and technicians in designing and conducting molecular biology experiments.
• Writing own grant applications

Qualification requirements

• A PhD degree in any relevant field of life sciences
• Successfully completed PhD with documented publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Documented research experience in one or more of the following fields: transcriptional regulation, cancer biology, functional genomics and/or epigenomics
• Good understanding of advanced molecular cloning methods and Illumina sequencing strategies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Ability to work independently as well as operating as a team player in multi-disciplinary projects is a must, and willingness to supervise students and staff is important. Prior experience in the following is considered a plus: functional genomics methods, organoid cultures, MPRAs like STARR-seq, familiarity with in vivo mouse models and knowledge about analysis of high-throughput functional genomics datasets and relevant programming languages (Python, Perl, R). A good understanding of molecular biology, genomics experiments and bioinformatics is expected. Candidates with proven track record in terms of publications will be given preference. 

We offer

• Salary 575 400 - 679 700 NOK per annum depending on qualification in position as Postdoctoral Fellow SKO (position code 1352)
• An exciting project utilizing cutting-edge functional genomics methods to measure the cis-regulatory activity in cancer 
• A rare, shared position to be trained jointly by two ambitious, multi-disciplinary and well-resourced groups comprising of both wet-lab and computational scientists
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to the family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities in Oslo and Helsinki.

For more information about our current research operations and our latest publications (including Fei et al, Developmental Cell, 2023; Karttunen et al, Nature Communications, 2023; Sahu et al, Nature Genetics, 2022; Najumudeen et al, Nature Communications 2024; Najumudeen et al Nature Genetics 2021). For more information visit: https://sahulab.org and https://www.najumudeenlab.com.

The position is available to start around June 2025.

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover Letter stating motivation and research interests
• A recent CV with a complete list of scientific publications
• Copies of certificates and grades with explanation of the grading system
• Two–three reference letters with contact details of the referees (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. All documents should be in English.

The selection process will include two rounds of interviews and will be arranged with the best qualified candidates. Key dates for this application process:

Deadline for submission of application by post-doctoral candidates:  24th January 2025

1st interview with shortlisted and invited candidates: End of February – 1st week of March 2025

2nd interview with selected candidates: Last week of March 2025

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Fellow period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

Inquiries about the positions can be directed to Group Leaders Dr. Biswajyoti Sahu: biswajyoti.sahu@helsinki.fi and Dr. Rafa Najumudeen: arafath.najumudeen@helsinki.fi

Inquiries about application can be directed to HR-adviser Nina Modahl: ninam@ncmm.uio.no