IndirizzoAs part of the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza, PNRR), IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas has started the public selection procedures for recruitment under the projects regardin the Enhancement and strengthening of biomedical research in the NHS.
TITLE AND BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:Biomarker identification to guide therapeutic strategy in locally advanced rectal cancer KMN312-CUP: E23C24000250006
Patients with non-metastatic advanced rectal cancer often undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, but the outcomes vary significantly, with a 35% chance of distant relapse over five years. About 20-25% of these patients may achieve complete pathological remission, allowing for a non-surgical 'watch-and-wait' approach, while another 20% show minimal to no response, necessitating alternative treatments. Currently, effective biomarkers to predict treatment outcomes are lacking, partly due to the molecular heterogeneity of rectal cancer.
This project- developed in collaboration with Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale- aims to enhance treatment personalization by discovering new biomarkers through an integrative analysis combining genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and ex-vivo drug screening on tumor samples collected before treatment. The research will focus on establishing a biorepository of patient-derived tumor fragments and organoids to evaluate treatment responses and identify molecular signatures indicative of effectiveness or resistance to therapy. This comprehensive, data-driven strategy could lead to more tailored treatments for patients and potentially introduce novel therapeutic options, significantly advancing precision medicine in the treatment of rectal cancer. This project will be performed in the Precision Medicine research group under the guidance of Prof. Salvatore Piscuoglio and in collaboration with Prof. Antonino Spinelli, director of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery.
Job profile and brief description of activities required:
no. 2 Post doc who will be mainly responsible for
- Development, optimization and application of state-of-the-art methods to generate and execute drug treatment in in vitro and ex vivo 3D models.
- Molecular study of the mechanisms of response/resistance to anticancer drugs
- Coordination of the activities between the surgical, endoscopic, and the precision medicine laboratory
- Collection of biological samples
- Interpretation of genomics data for putative candidate selection
- Identification and characterization of new oncogenic mechanisms.
Qualifications required: Candidate must have a PhD degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmacology or similar disciplines.
Technical skills:
- Strong interest in cancer biology
- Hands-on experience handling patient samples.
- Hands-on experience with cell culture and flow cytometry techniques is a must.
- Experience in drug screening is highly desirable.
- Once trained, the candidates must be able to work independently.
- Organized and detail-oriented, able to maintain accurate documentation of experiments and sample information.
- Collaborative, able to work effectively in a team.
- Ability to interpret the data and to generate hypotheses.
- Experience with grant writing
Preferred candidate choice requirements:
- Experience in primary cell culture and 3D cultures.
- Fluency in English (B2 minimum)
- Experience with manuscript writing
- Ability to multi-task.
On the basis of the profiles received and in the terms indicated by this notice, Humanitas will activate the selection process by inviting suitable candidates to participate in selection interviews, after verification of the cv and qualifications, which will be held in presence or in telematic mode.
The selection committee, composed of the Project Manager and the Human Resources Department, will take charge of the overall evaluation of the applications received and give feedback to the candidates within 60 days of the first interview.
Open Position (published): 13/06/2024
End Published: 02/07/2024
The notice is addressed to candidates in compliance with Dlgs 198/2006 and Dlgs 215/2003 and 216/2003. Interested persons are invited to read the privacy notice ex art. 13 and 14 of EU Reg. 2016/679.
