Postdoctoral Fellow in ALK biology and Therapeutic Targeting
The Institute of Cancer Research (a College of the University of London) is a world-class cancer research organisation. In the 2008 Higher Education Funding Councils’ Research Assessment Exercise, The ICR received the highest percentage of research assessed as world leading, in the areas of biological sciences and cancer studies, ranking it as the UK’s leading academic research centre, with 37% of activity ranked as world leading) and 42% ranked as internationally excellent.
Our paediatric oncology research laboratory at ICR requires a postdoctoral fellow to lead a project focusing on the oncogenic role of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene and receptor in the initiation and progression of neuroblastoma, a common paediatric solid tumour. Germline ALK mutations were identified in virtually all inherited cases of this disease, and in 10-15% of tumours. Therapeutic targeting of ALK has generated significant excitement in adult oncology, where oncogenic ALK fusions drive subsets of lung cancer and lymphoma, and since initial trials of small-molecule ALK inhibitors have exhibited striking response. ALK is therefore one of the most common targetable paediatric cancer mutations for which effective clinical therapeutics already exist.
Our laboratory has a significant focus on genetically engineered murine models of cancer (GEMM). We recently published the initial GEMM demonstrating that expression of ALK generates neuroblastoma and is therapeutically targetable [Cancer Cell (2012):Jul 10;22(1):117-30, PMID: 22789543].
Applicants should have obtained a PhD in cancer biology, neurodevelopment, developmental biology or associated field, and should be confident, independent, and willing to supervise PhD candidates and technical associates. Previous experience with murine transgenic systems and peer reviewed first author publications are a major advantage for this position.
Applicants should have obtained a PhD in cancer biology, neurodevelopment, developmental biology or associated field, and should be confident, independent, and willing to supervise PhD candidates and technical associates. Previous experience with murine transgenic systems and peer reviewed first author publications are a major advantage for this position.
The position will be offered on a three year, fully funded, fixed-term contract beginning October 1 2012. The salary on the PDTF scale, points 1-4, will be in the range £27,536-£32,665 based on experience.
Informal enquiries may be made to Dr. Louis Chesler (c/o Regan.Barfoot@icr.ac.uk).
Please DO NOT send your application to Dr. Chesler; CVs must be submitted online. For further particulars and to apply please click the 'Apply Now' button.
Closing Date: 17th August 2012
Interviews will take place week commencing 27th August 2012.