Post-doctoral Position in Membrane Traffic in Cancer

University of Turku

Turku, Finland

The Cell Adhesion and Cancer group is a vibrant, international multidisciplinary team working towards a comprehensive understanding of how cell survival and motility facilitate tumour development and metastatic spread in human cancer. Specifically, we focus on identifying novel elements that regulate the function of integrins and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) – two endosomally trafficking receptor systems that demonstrate extensive cross-talk in transformed cells, and that are implicated in cancer progression and resistance to drug therapy. We are particularly interested in the basic molecular mechanisms of cell migration, adhesion and receptor traffic in relevant cancer models and couple these investigations to the analysis of clinical therapy-resistant breast cancer samples. Ultimately, our studies aim to provide insights into both improving existing clinical regimens and in identifying novels targets for therapeutic intervention.

We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow to investigate novel trafficking pathways, identified in our laboratory in large-scale unbiased screens, in cancer progression. Applicants will have successfully completed a PhD in a field relevant to the molecular and cellular biology of cancer and/or membrane trafficking and published at least one peer-reviewed article. Microscopy skills, experience in mammalian cell culture and molecular biology as well as knowledge of membrane trafficking would also be an advantage.