Postdoctoral Position in Cancer Stem Cell Research (100%)

The Department of Biomedicine (DBM) integrates basic and clinical researchers from University of Basel and University Hospitals committed to deepen the understanding of health and disease while driving the development of innovative therapies that address unmet medical needs.
With over 70 research groups and 800 employees, the Department of Biomedicine is the largest department within the University of Basel. Be part of our future!
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will become part of a young team working on cancer stem cells and the molecular mechanisms of their regulation – a highly dynamic and inspiring field of research where groundbreaking discoveries are still to be made.
The working place of the successful candidate is the Department of Biomedicine at Mattenstrasse 28, 4057 Basel.
Scientific Background
Stem cells are rare populations of cells that (in their primordial, i.e., ontological significance) serve as clonal founders of embryonic or adult somatic structures, while retaining a largely undifferentiated status themselves. Although dependent on tissue context, a recurrent feature of stem cells is the expression of pluripotency-inducing transcription factors, such as OCT4, KLF4, c-MYC, and SOX2. It is this set of four (or subsets of which, under certain conditions) that is indeed capable of reprogramming adult body cells into conditions of induced pluripotency. Dysregulation of pluripotency factors, on the other hand, can lead to the development and progression of cancer.
The specific project you will be involved in aims to further elucidate the functionality of SOX2, whose molecular regulation is a long-standing interest of the lab and which we recently discovered to be involved not only in transcription, but also in translation (i.e., protein synthesis by ribosomes, see Schaefer et al., Cell Reports 2024). This discovery may spur further advances in reprogramming technology and lead to new therapeutic approaches in reproductive and cancer medicine.

You will actively contribute to the isolation and molecular-functional characterization of SOX2/ribosome complexes. These supposed “stemness ribosomes” shall be enriched and analysed regarding their (i) molecular composition, (ii) transcript load, and (iii) structure. Key technologies involved will be, on our part: density gradient centrifugation, ribosome profiling, affinity purifications, RNA extractions, and library cloning. Through collaboration with experts in their respective fields (the DBM core facilities and international cooperation partners), the range of technologies continues to extend to HPLC/MS, RIBOseq and cryo-EM. These efforts are envisioned to ultimately lead to the definition of pharmacological intervention sites, either at the SOX2/ribosome interface or within a SOX2-induced decor of ribosomal surface modulators.

We are looking forward to applications from highly motivated researchers (m/f/d) with a basic education in the life sciences and a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, or equivalent. MD PhDs with a strong interest in disease pathology can be excellent candidates, too. Previous research experience in the field of ribosomes would be ideal, but is not a prerequisite. Rather, we are looking forward to applicants with a solid research track in protein and RNA biochemistry and a strong motivation to succeed. Indeed, we are not interested in participants, but in performers. A good command of English is mandatory, of German helpful. Candidates with an international career step (internship, PhD or preceding postdoctoral assignment abroad) will thus be preferred. Experience in animal work is not required for this job assignment, but will be considered just as any additional qualification. What really counts for us, though, more than any individual grade or specific practical training, is a positive work attitude, reliability, dedication, and - most importantly - a genuine interest and curiosity for science.