Postdoc in Angiogenesis and Vascular Heterogeneity

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Heterogeneity as per 1 August 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a 3- year fixed-term full-time position with the possibility for extension.

We offer a vibrant international research environment where English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The Department employs some 450 people and covers a range of research areas within Biomedicine. We contribute to the Bachelor’s degree programs in medicine, molecular medicine, odontology and the Master’s degree programs in biomedical engineering and medical chemistry. Our infrastructure is well developed with modern laboratories, core and animal facilities. You will work either in the brand new ‘Skou Building’ or similar as we are in the process of modernizing our old facilities. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

Background project
The Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Heterogeneity headed by Prof. Peter Carmeliet focuses on the development of blood vessels (angiogenesis) and vascular heterogeneity in health and disease, with the ultimate aim to identify novel therapeutic strategies. The lab developed and uses innovative integrated approaches (e.g. scRNA-sequencing, metabolomics, multi-omics analysis) to efficiently discover new, biologically important and therapeutically attractive targets. The ultimate goal is to bring promising validated scientific targets, upon translation, to the level of drug development. The project will be conducted in a multidisciplinary environment at the interface of an academic and clinical environment, where animal surgery expertise and clinical samples will be available.

The group
The laboratory of Prof. Peter Carmeliet recently started at the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University and is closely linked to his lab at the Flanders institute for biotechnology (VIB, Leuven, Belgium). There will be regular interaction, which offers opportunities for short term training periods in Leuven. Both the newly starting Aarhus and the Leuven lab, apply their expertise and therapeutic focus to evaluate and deliver novel therapeutic concepts into clinical development with the ambition to change the life of patients with vasculature-related disorders. Standard gene modulation strategies (conditional gene targeting/silencing/overexpression) are exploited as well as sophisticated novel disruptive high-throughput multi-omics approaches (bulk and scRNAseq, scG&T, scATAC; metabolomics, etc.) and computational modelling, both for hypothesis generating and hypothesis testing experiments. For instance, recent successful efforts in generating a single cell transcriptome atlas of endothelial cells from various healthy and pathological (including tumor) tissues from preclinical models and clinical samples has revealed the existence of previously unknown endothelial cell subtypes, including endothelial cells with a resident endothelial stem cell signature, and endothelial cells with a putative immunosurveillance role, key findings being taken into further investigation. In addition, endothelial cell-specific Genome scale metabolic models (GEM) were generated and successfully used to predict metabolic enzymes/pathways essential for endothelial cell growth.

Your job responsibilities
The lab is looking for a highly motivated postdoc candidate who will investigate the diverse functions of endothelial cells in cancer and will contribute to the multi-omics analysis ranging from genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics. Endothelial cells in different tissues have distinct phenotypic characteristics, but it is unknown how heterogeneous for instance tumor endothelial cells (TEC) are within a single tumor. Dogma claims that all TECs can be treated indiscriminately with anti-angiogenesis therapy (AAT) via VEGF blockade (a VEGF). However, it is unknown how many different TEC subpopulations exist within and across tumors, and if they all respond (equally) to AAT. We hypothesize that TEC heterogeneity is a much larger problem in AAT resistance than anticipated. The postdoc will contribute to discover new targets, and to develop novel AAT drugs.

As Postdoc in the Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Heterogeneity, you will also contribute to the set-up and establishment of the new lab environment. Your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work independently and with colleagues on your project, also supervision and guidance will be available (in Aarhus and Leuven).

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Isolation of fresh TEC/NECs from surgical samples (human and mouse), single cell library preparation and sequencing, bioinformatical analysis and biological interpretation, and validation and clinical translation of the data.
• Analysing and integrating complex omics- and clinical datasets.
• Contribute to projects by applying in vitro and in vivo disease modelling technologies to functionally validate targets.
• Working independently within a multidisciplinary team of experts in biomedical sciences, transcriptomics/ genomics/ bioinformatics, drug development and with clinicians.
• Function as a key person between the AU and the VIB lab to transfer expertise and guide projects.
• Actively engage with scientists to identify necessary expertise and maintain state-of-the-art competences within the field.
• Drive projects to generate early hypothesis for innovative ideas.
• Mentor junior scientists on a daily basis, between multiple disciplines and ensure connectivity.
• Organizing and troubleshooting practical work independently.
• Communicating results in a professional manner.
• Participating in high-level seminars and grant/manuscript writing

You will report to Prof. Peter Carmeliet.

Your competences
In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.

• Candidates have a MD or PhD in biology/biomedicine, preferentially vascular expertise (metabolic, cancer or immunology expertise is an advantage, not mandatory) or closely related disciplines.
• Minimum of 4 years research experience is required.
• You have a broad scientific knowledge within the vascular research field (within the metabolic/ cancer/ immunology field and/or drug discovery platforms is a plus).
• You are interested in analysing and integrating complex omics- and clinical datasets, and in working in a multidisciplinary environment of experts in biomedical sciences, transcriptomics/ genomics/ bioinformatics, drug development as well as with clinicians.
• You are interested and motivated to work on ambitious projects in an open, dynamic, competitive and driven team.
• You have excellent organizational and supervisory skills, you can work in a team as well as independently.
• You have a strong ability to multi-task, meet timelines and work accurately.
• You have good communication skills in spoken and written English.
• You have a publication record in peer-reviewed international journals.

We offer

• The opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary international team and contribute to the development of novel drug targets.
• Access to and training in state-of-the-art technologies in biomedical research.
• A dynamic working environment in which quality, professionalism and team spirit are encouraged.
• A stimulating scientific surrounding in a young, enthusiastic, motivated team (with English as main language).
• Training in project management (e.g. supervision of students, budget management).
• Excellent training conditions within a team of experts.
• Long-term career opportunities.
• Starting as soon as possible.

Questions about the position
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Peter Carmeliet (email: au629049@uni.au.dk or peter.carmeliet@kuleuven.be , phone: +3216326247) or katie.vangeyte@biomed.au.dk or au699177@uni.au.dk

Your place of work will be the Department of the Department of Biomedicine, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
We expect to conduct interviews week 21 og 22.

Shortlisting will be used.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc position with minimum 3 years of working experience after achieved MSc degree is DKK 486,969.17 or DKK 512,713.62 with minimum 4 years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the.Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff

Application
Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted
• Template for applicant - postdoc must be completed and uploaded under ‘Extra documents’
• Strategic research plan can be uploaded
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

The assessment committee may decide to include non-submitted material in its statement. In such cases, you will be informed and obliged to submit material, unless your application is withdrawn.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

International applicant?
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Development Programme. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

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Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Deadline: 13 May 202