POSTDOC: COMPUTATIONAL CANCER BIOLOGY TAILORING TREATMENT FOR COLORECTAL CANCER THROUGH MOLECULAR REDEFINITION OF THE DISEASE VIA INTEGRATED IN SILICO AND IN VITRO ANALYSES OVERALL OBJECTIVES The aim of this project is to redefine colorectal cancer (CRC) at the molecular level, in order to identify and validate new activated pathways and specific drug targets for defined CRC patient populations, and to identify molecular markers that can be used to select patients most likely to benefit from drugs active against these targets. The project will employ the complementary expertise and tools at Astra Zeneca, two academic laboratories (those of Lodewyk Wessels and Rene Bernards at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam) and a leading diagnostics company with an established presence in oncology (Agendia BV, Amsterdam) PROJECT OUTLINE AND STRATEGY We will first use computational approaches to perform a ‘pathway’ or ‘module’ level integration of molecular profiling and extensive clinical annotation data from a collection of 400 CRC tumors to identify and prioritize pathways that are deregulated in each CRC sub-disease. Next, we will define for each pathway, targets that are amenable to drug discovery efforts, and that can be validated in cell culture models. To enable target validation, we will develop approaches to identify, based on molecular profiling data, CRC cell lines in the AZ collection that represent each molecular sub-disease. Once these are in place, target validation experiments will be conducted, using established RNAi methodology. Targets whose functions are shown to be essential for cell viability in the appropriate cell line models will then be recommended for new drug discovery projects. These results will be fed back to refine the target section procedure based on the tumor data. EMPLOYER INFORMATION The Netherlands Cancer Institute is a dedicated cancer center conducting research in all major areas of cancer, with a strong emphasis on translational research. The Bioinformatics and Statistics group (Wessels lab.) provides leadership on the collection and analysis of data for the research programs of the institute, by developing novel compuational approaches and performing state of the art analyses of a wide array of data types, including laboratory and animal experiments, clinical trials, and epidemiologic studies. The candidate will also spend time at Agendia BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Frequent visits to AstraZeneca Oncology, Alderley Park, UK will be undertaken. REQUIREMENTS The ideal candidate is a highly motivated postdoc with a strong background in bioinformatics or computational biology. The vacancy is a research position within the field of bioinformatics/computational biology and the research will be carried out in close collaboration with the involved partners: Bernards lab, Astra Zeneca and Agendia. The ideal candidate has a background in the analysis of high throughput molecular data, computational diagnostics, bioinformatics, computer science, statistics or physics with strong analytical and algorithmic skills. Knowledge of biology, particularly signaling pathways and cancer is a strong recommendation. EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS The temporary employment will be for a period of two years. The gross monthly salary for a Postdoc will range from €3140,- to €3.495,- and depends on previous experience. We can help you find housing. The NKI-AVL has been listed in the top 25 of ‘Best Employers’ in 2010 offering a specialized cancer research institute and hospital with good working conditions and an excellent atmosphere. INTERESTED? Please contact Dr. Lodewyk Wessels, tel. +31 20 512 7987 or e-mail: l.wessels@nki.nl or Dr George Orphanides, Director of Discovery Medicine, tel. +44 1625 232312 or e-mail George.Orphanides@astrazeneca.com. When applying please ensure you include a CV, list of publications and the names and addresses of at least two persons that can be approached to obtain further information. http://bioinformatics.nki.nl CLOSING DATE 1 September 2011