STRIM — Scientific Training for Post-Translational Modification Detection in Cancer Screening

DC-5- Targeting aberrant O-glycosylation with aptamers for cancer diagnostics

The aim of this PhD project is the selection and characterization of aptamer receptors for the O-glycosylation site of glycoproteins, such as mucins, overexpressed in colorectal cancer, and their application to develop diagnostic tools for early detection of cancer. The DC will select the aptamers and will design and optimize sensing platforms using them to detect aberrant glycosylated forms of the selected proteins, evaluating their diagnostic potential by testing clinical samples.

DC-6- Aptamer microarrays for glycoprofiling of cancer biomarkers

This PhD project aims to obtain and characterize a panel of aptamers mimicking lectins to recognize aberrant glycosylation patterns of proteins, using them to develop aptamer microarrays and other platforms for profiling specific N- linked glycoforms of protein biomarkers. The DC will evaluate differential glycoforms of selected glycoproteins, such as carcinoembryonic antigen, in colorectal tumor tissues and normal tissues, assessing their  diagnostic/prognostic performance in serum samples.

• Applicants must be at the date of recruitment in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree
• Applicants must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in Spain from more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment (short stays not taken into account).
• Master´s degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or Biomedical Engineering, with excellent academic transcripts.
• Team-oriented and independent work.
• Proven proficiency in spoken and written English; a minimum B2 English level certificate is mandatory.
• Practical experience in some of the following subjects will be an asset: Electrochemistry, Surface Science, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

• Full-time employment with a competitive salary in accordance with the MSCA rules and the personal circumstances of the applicant. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment.
• Financial package consisting of MSCA living and mobility allowance.
• Recruited candidates with a family will also receive an additional family allowance.
• An international work environment and excellent networking opportunities within the STRIM consortium with world-class researchers from universities and technological-based companies (short mobility periods are mandatory).
• Close collaboration with clinicians in hospital settings.
• Customized career development plan with close joint supervision with leading experts in biosensing and electroanalysis fields.
• Cutting-edge technology to perform the project

Through Euraxess or the email: DN-Strim@proton.me. Use as subject the DC project you are applying to.

Deadline: January 31, 2025

Expecting start date: April 1, 2025

Applications (in English) must contain a CV, a copy of diploma and transcript of records, motivation and project description letters, a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experience and the addresses of two possible referees.

Inquiries: email to santosnoemi@uniovi.es

DC positions will also be advertised locally.

Applications will be welcomed from candidates of any nationality with a proven track record in one of the fields related to the project demonstrated through a Master’s degree certificate and appropriate experience. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate extra-academic experience and evidence of creativity and leadership. The Supervisory Board (SB) will grade the candidates on a scale regarding: 

1. Academic excellence (0-30 points) 

2. Professional experience (0-10 points) 

3. Linguistic proficiency in English and /or the languages of his/her Host Institution (0-10 points) 

4. Publications and other scientific activities (0-20 points) 

5. Letters of reference (0-10 points). 

SB will shortlist candidates, to be interviewed in person or via video conference by the recruiting beneficiary supervisors, who will take the final decision according to the rules of the hosting institution. The successful DCs will then begin their 36 month contracts. The candidates will automatically be informed at each stage of the evaluation process.