Postdoc in Single-cell Omics and Pediatric Oncology

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of Single-cell Omics and Pediatric Oncology, as per 1 June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 18 months, with the possibility of an extension.

The Department of Biomedicine prioritizes diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience and personalized medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.
 

About the research project

The project combines basic research expertise from the Porpiglia Lab with clinical expertise from Pediatric Oncologist Torben Mikkelsen (MD,PhD) at the Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital. The interdisciplinary research project will integrate cutting-edge single-cell proteomic approaches – single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF) and spatial imaging mass cytometry (IMC) – with quantitative data analysis and dynamic modelling, to (i) resolve tumor heterogeneity in Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive pediatric cancer, and (ii) identify rare tumor cell populations that could drive treatment resistance and relapse formation. This research has the potential to uncover novel therapeutic targets aimed at improving outcomes for children facing cancer recurrence.  More information about the Porpiglia lab can be found here.
 

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc in single-cell Omics and Pediatric Oncology 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 closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance. You will develop your own project aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying tumor relapse and drug resistance in Rhabdomyosarcoma. You will be expected to develop expertise in areas necessary for the successful progress of your project

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality, including publications
• Developing and optimizing experimental protocols for single-cell protein analysis (suspension and spatial)
• Performing drug screenings on primary human tumor cells followed by cellular, molecular and functional single-cell analyses
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams including cancer biologists, bioinformaticians, and pediatric oncologists to translate basic research findings into therapeutic insights
• Analyzing, integrating and interpreting complex omics data (genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics) to uncover patterns that drive cancer recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance
• Preparing figures and manuscripts
• Contributing to grant applications
• Supervising and training students in laboratory techniques and experimental design
• Presenting research findings at national and international meetings
• Performing ongoing literature review to remain current with new procedures, computational tools and related research

You will report to Associate Professor Ermelinda Porpiglia.
 

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD level and are interested in working at the intersection between cancer biology and integrative single-cell analysis. You have experience with Flow Cytometry and Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) and experience with cell culture and primary cultures. You have experience with cryosectioning, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and image processing software, such as ImageJ. Experience with single-cell technologies (CyTOF and single cell-RNA seq) is preferred but not required.

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment.

We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

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

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Ermelinda Porpiglia tel.: (+45) 42578870.

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, Bartholins Allé 6, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in May 2025.
 

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 is between DKK 484.214,84 and DKK 538.720,20 depending on the 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
• Template for applicant - postdoc
• 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 (optional)
• Research plan can be uploaded (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources 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.