Vacant job

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focusing on, among other things, cancer, genetic and autoimmune diseases. A key principle at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby promote closer collaboration between medical research and healthcare. Research is conducted within six research programs: cancer precision medicine, cancer immunotherapy, genomics and neurobiology, molecular tools and functional genomics, neuro-oncology and neurodegeneration, and vascular biology. Parts of the operations are also integrated with the departments of oncology, clinical genetics, clinical immunology, clinical pathology, and hospital physics at Uppsala University Hospital. The department has teaching assignments on several program educations, standalone courses, and international master's programs within the Faculty of Medicine. The department has a turnover of approximately 550 million SEK, of which about two-thirds are external research grants. The number of employees is approximately 400, of which about 100 are doctoral students, and there are in total over 850 active staff members. Read more about the department's activities here: www.uu.se/medarbetare/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi (https://www.uu.se/medarbetare/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi)

Job Description

The research in Yumeng Mao's group aims to understand the interaction between the immune system and tumor cells. The research group studies the negative mechanisms that cancer cells use to inhibit the function of immune cells. In the current project, the significance of different mechanisms for the immune system's ability to recognize cancer cells is evaluated by silencing individual genes in cancer or immune cells using so-called CRISPR technology. It is then evaluated whether this facilitates or hinders the immune cells' ability to recognize cancer cells. This project will provide important knowledge regarding how the immune system and the tumor interact, thereby accelerating the development of immunotherapy for patients. Information about the group's research can be found at https://www.scilifelab.se/researchers/yumeng-mao/ (https://www.scilifelab.se/researchers/yumeng-mao/)

Qualifications

We are looking for a research assistant with strong experience in bioinformatics who has obtained a master's degree in a relevant subject area (e.g., immunology, biomedicine, or molecular medicine).

Documented knowledge of bioinformatics analyses using the software R or Python is required, e.g., scRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, RNA-seq, proteomics). The applicant should have experience in two of these areas and an interest in learning about the remaining ones. Very strong merit is research experience regarding data integration and machine learning methods.

Experience in isolation and handling of cancer and primary immune cells is required, as well as good knowledge of English in speech and writing. The applicant should also have experience with CRISPR/Cas9 technology, genetic engineering, western blotting, ELISA, PCR, handling of blood products, and cell culture.

Documented practical experience in experimental research work, including work with tumor immunology and tumor biological research, is required. Very strong merit is research experience regarding co-culture systems between human immune cells and cancer cells.

The candidate offered the position should be easy to collaborate with but also have good ability to work independently.

Desirable/Additional Merits

Knowledge/experience regarding co-culture systems between human immune cells and cancer cells is desirable. It is also desirable to have previously demonstrated the ability to publish scientific studies and present at international conferences.

About the Position

The employment is a fixed-term substitute position for 12 months. The scope is full-time. Start date by agreement. Location: Uppsala.

Information about the position is provided by: Yumeng Mao, [email protected]

Please submit your application by June 4, 2026, Ref: UFV-PA 2026/1624

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who with curiosity and engagement make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University: https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The position may be subject to a security check. In the event of a security check, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved.

We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union Representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]

Open to all. We focus on your competence, not your other prerequisites. We are open to adapting the role or workplace to your needs.