Postdoctoral Fellow

Job description

Adoptive cell therapy demonstrates remarkable success in in the treatment of malignancies. This therapy relies on the infusion of tumor-specific T cells that subsequently trace and kill tumor cells. Besides non-modified T cells, such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), T cells are often derived from blood and redirected toward cancer antigens via gene-engineering with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or T cell receptors (TCRs). CAR-T cell therapy has elicited profound responses in hematological malignancies, whereas TIL and TCR-T cell treatments have shown responses in solid tumors, such as melanoma and synovial sarcoma. Despite this tremendous progress, there is still an urgent need to identify and exploit new, tumor-specific targets.

Many tumors escape treatments, such as checkpoint inhibitors, by an adaptive feedback response that activates immunosuppressive pathways. For example, T cells that are initially activated often mediate the induction of immune suppressive enzymes, such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). The creation of novel and unique epitopes, as a consequence of above adaptive response, diversifies the landscape of the cancer’s immunopeptidome and discloses potentially new targets for TCR-T therapy.

In this project, where Erasmus MC works together with NKI, this new class of epitopes will be used to generate and select TCR-T cells as a prelude to their potential clinical utilization. You will make use of multiple state-of-the-art technologies to identify and validate epitopes as well as TCRs, ranging from in silico and molecular tools to in vitro assays with tumor organoids and in vivo experiments.

The candidate researcher will work closely with experienced technicians, PhD students and is involved in the writing of scientific publications and grant applications.

Work environment

A healthy population and excellence in healthcare through research and education; this is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way. In research, education, and healthcare. Our mind set is practical, we have a high level of expertise, and we work hard towards improvement and renewal of today’s healthcare and tomorrow’s public health.

The Department of Medical Oncology has a long-standing tradition in clinical and translational cancer research. The research activities of our department are organized into 5 different divisions: Translational Cancer Genomics and Proteomics; Translational Pharmacology; Translational Onco-Immunology; Clinical Trials; and Palliative and Supportive Care.

Research at the laboratory of Tumor Immunology (Division of Translational Onco-Immunology) is involved in the following activities towards new or ongoing patient studies: develop and test T cell treatments; understand and intervene with cross-talk between tumor cells and micro-environment; and immune monitor T cell phenotype and function. See for more details:

https://www.erasmusmc.nl/en/cancer-institute/research/researchers/debet…

Qualifications and skills

• You have obtained your PhD in the field of immunology, and have hands-on experience with T cells and their interaction with tumor cells.
• You are highly motivated to perform research, take initiatives, communicate easily and cooperate in a team of researchers.
• You are able to coordinate research and acquire research grants.

Before you apply please check our conditions for employment.

Terms of employment

• You will receive a temporary position for 2 years. 
• The gross monthly salary ranges from €3,598 to a maximum of €5,669 (scale 10), depending on your education and relevant experience, based on a full-time workweek of 36 hours
• Excellent fringe benefits, such as a 13th month that is already paid out in November and an individual travel expense package. 
• An International Office which aids you in preparing for your arrival and stay. 
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 2/3 of the monthly contribution. 
• Special benefits, such as an incompany physiotherapist and bicycle repairer. And there is also a gym where you can work on your fitness after work. 

More information

Make this job your next career move! Apply now using the application button.

For more information about this position, please contact Rosita Pherai on behalf of prof. dr. Reno Debets, via phone +31(0)10.7038307/ +31(0)10 041718 or Email: r.pherai@erasmusmc.nl/ j.debets@erasmusmc.nl. 

No agencies please.