Postdoc vacancy to study telomere maintenance in the research group of Jacqueline Jacobs

The research group of Jacqueline Jacobs at the division of Oncogenomics aims to understand the processes that act to safeguard genome integrity but that, when working inappropriately, cause cells to become dysfunctional or die, or to get derailed and cancerous. More specifically, we aim to identify new factors and molecular mechanisms that are critical in telomere and genome maintenance through appropriate DNA damage responses, DNA replication, and DNA repair (e.g. see Boersma et al, Nature 2015; Dev et al, Nature Cell Biol. 2018; Paniagua et al, Nature Commun. 2022; Yalcin et al., Nature Commun. 2024). 

In this project we seek to achieve an increased mechanistic understanding of telomere maintenance in pediatric cancers, in particular via the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. Recent discoveries indicate that ALT is activated by defective DNA replication fork dynamics, which result in DNA breaks and increased recombination at telomeres. Given that ALT has a major impact on the survival of a considerable portion of pediatric cancers, and is not used by normal non-cancerous cells, it represents an attractive target for cancer treatment. However, the lack of comprehensive mechanistic understanding of ALT hampers therapeutic progress related to ALT. Therefore, in this multidisciplinary project, funded by the Children Cancer Free Foundation KIKA, we aim to increase understanding of the factors and molecular mechanisms that control ALT. For this we will follow-up on recent unpublished findings from our lab, that implicate new factors in the regulation of ALT. In addition, we will investigate how ALT regulation by these factors can be exploited in treatment of ALT-positive pediatric cancers.
 

We are looking for an ambitious and enthusiastic Postdoc with a strong commitment to science and solid background in molecular biology and cell biology. The candidate should be creative, highly self-motivated, capable of independent thinking, have a problem-solving attitude, be a very good experimentalist and have demonstrated experience with publishing their research as first author in peer-reviewed journals. Good communication skills (oral and written) and ability to work together with others in an international team are essential. You are expected to work together with a PhD student already appointed on the project.
Molecular biology and cell biology skills in the fields of telomere maintenance (in particular ALT), DNA replication and/or DNA damage and repair, would be highly advantageous, but not an absolute must. However, significant experiences with mammalian cell culture, microscopy  and general molecular biology skills are required.

Scientific environment
Located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) is an internationally renowned institute dedicated to fundamental, translational and clinical cancer research. It is the only comprehensive cancer center in The Netherlands, with the cancer-specialized Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (AVL) hospital under the same roof with the NKI. The NKI is a dynamic institute with a highly interactive and collaborative atmosphere and accommodating over 50 research groups and many excellent facilities, including for microscopy, flow cytometry, genomics, proteomics and many more. The Jacobs laboratory on Telomere and Genome stability is part of the Division of Oncogenomics with multiple groups of complementary expertise. 

 

We offer a stimulating and interactive research environment, free use of all state-of-the-art facilities, a competitive salary. The gross salary per month will range from € 4.540,- to a maximum of € 5.084 ,- according to salary scale FWG 55, depending on your experience. The terms of employment will be in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Hospitals. In addition you will receive a fixed end-of-year bonus (8,33%) and you will receive 8,33% holiday pay. 

Your travel expenses will be reimbursed at € 0,23 per km. Free parking at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek is also part of the package. Personnel is stimulated to use public transport and bicycle and therefore we offer an interesting arrangement for bikers and/or discount on the NS-business card. 
 

For further information visit our website (https://www.nki.nl/research/research-groups/jacqueline-jacobs/). Applications should include a motivation letter and your CV with contact information of at least 2 references, and can be submitted via the portal (http://www.nki.nl/working-at-the-nki/).

Details

• Hours per week: 36 
• Salary level: postdoc scale Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Hospitals