Associate or Full Professor in Translational T-cell immunology and developmental therapeutics

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 15,500 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. UNIL and CHUV encourage excellence, individual recognition and responsibility. The Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM) and the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) are inviting applications for a position of:

Associate or Full Professor in Translational T-cell immunology and developmental therapeutics at the Department of oncology UNIL-CHUV

Starting date: to be agreed                                                                           

Place: Lausanne, Switzerland

The Department of oncology UNIL-CHUV is seeking outstanding candidates with internationally recognized dual expertise in analytical T-cell immunology and in the development and clinical translation of novel strategies of cancer cell-based immunotherapy. The position involves fundamental, translational and clinical activities.

Main missions:

• Run and supervise a research group, embedded in the human integrated tumor immunology engine (Hi-TIDE) of the Ludwig Institute Lausanne branch that develops new technologies for immune measurements and applies these for the immune monitoring of cancer patients treated with experimental immunotherapies, with a specific focus to unveil the dynamic of T cell specificities and antigen recognition in patients receiving cellular therapies.
• Build internationally competitive translational research in cellular therapy, with development of new knowledge and methods leading to early clinical translation in the domain of T cell therapy.
• Assume clinical duties including supervision of early product development and clinical translation of experimental therapies as well as oversee interactions between Hi-TIDE groups and the hospital experimental therapeutics environment.

Desired profile:

• PhD degree (or equivalent) and a strong background in analytical, clinical and translational Tcell immunology. A combined proven world-class experience in viral and cancer T-cell immunology is a must.
• Strong research background, publications in high-level international journals, in analytical immunology, immune monitoring of experimental therapy trials, development of novel strategies of cancer immunotherapy, identification of immune correlates of efficacy, viral immunology, T cell antigens, T cell receptors and vaccines.
• Excellent proven capacity to oversee a research laboratory group in analytical immunology in both a research and in a clinical environment and in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
• World class expertise in high dimensional immune cell phenotype analysis by FACS and Cytof, TCR sequencing at bulk and single cell level, tetramer technology development and applications, T cell cloning, TCR cloning, neoantigen discovery and validation, in vitro immune assays, automation, computational analyses, mouse experimentation.
• Proof of developing cell-based assays, high-content screening strategies, analytical tools and pipelines for applications in immune discovery and in the development of novel strategies of cellular therapies.
• Excellent proven capacity to work in a team science configuration, proving unique skills as data sharing, generosity, discipline and organization.
• Excellent proven capacity to collaborate with clinicians and the competent ethical and regulatory authorities for bedside to bench and bench to bedside activities.
• Track records of early product development and clinical translation of cellular therapeutics.
• Advanced managerial skills (management of various teams and projects).
• Proven capacity to attract both national and international competitive funding.
• Willingness to combine research and clinical activities with a strong emphasis on translational research.
• Willingness to participate to the establishment of a cellular immunotherapy teaching curriculum.
• Proven capacity of management.
• Academic knowledge of faculty rank with proven practice in pre and postgraduate teaching
• Proficiency in French (level at least B2, C1 ideally) or ability to acquire it quickly.

Further information may be obtained from Prof. George Coukos (george.coukos@chuv.ch), Head of the oncology Department.

Applications, in English, will include a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae, a copy of the five most relevant publications, as well as names and contact information of three referees, a brief statement of research interests and teaching experience and a copy of diplomas. They should be submitted online by January, 9^th 2022 (23:59 GMT+1) to wwwfbm.unil.ch/releve/application/ as a single PDF file.

The job description is available on the same link.

We offer a pleasant working atmosphere in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. There are possibilities for continuing professional education and a multitude of activities and other benefits to discover. UNIL and CHUV are committed to promoting gender equality and diversity and strongly encourage applications from female candidates. www.unil.ch/egalite