Research Assistant in brain tumor biology and treatment resistance

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focusing on cancer, genetic and autoimmune diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby promote closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently organized in six research programs: Cancer Precision Medicine, Cancer Immunotherapy, Genomics and Neurobiology, Molecular Tools and Functional Genomics, Neuro-Oncology and Neurodegeneration and Vascular Biology. Departmental activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Uppsala University Hospital. The department has teaching assignments in several education programs, including Master Programs, at the Faculty of Medicine. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 550 million, out of which about two thirds derive from external funding. IGP has approximately 400 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 850 affiliated staff members. More information about the department's activities can be found here: www.uu.se/en/staff/department/immunology-genetics-and-pathology

Duties 

Join us at the forefront of pediatric brain tumor research!
A Research Assistant position is available in the research group of Veronica Rendo at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University.
We are seeking a highly motivated and curious researcher who wants to contribute to cutting-edge research on atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), a rare and highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor that primarily affects infants and is associated with relapse rates approaching 75%. Our goal is to understand why some tumors respond to treatment while others resist it, and to uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities that could ultimately improve outcomes for children with ATRT. As part of an interdisciplinary research team, you will investigate mechanisms of treatment response and resistance to standard-of-care therapies as well as clinically relevant targeted treatments.
The project is supported by leading Swedish research foundations, including Barncancerfonden, the Göran Gustafsson Foundation, and the Beijer Lab for Gene and Neuroscience, providing a strong environment for ambitious, discovery-driven research.
Read more about the project and research group at rendolab.org.

As a Research Assistant, you will work with patient-derived brain tumor models and brain organoid co-cultures to investigate tumor biology and treatment response in physiologically relevant experimental systems. The project combines advanced experimental approaches from cancer biology, genomics, and functional genetics, including: 
- Cell culture of patient-derived brain tumor models
- Co-culture of tumor cells with brain organoids
- Molecular barcoding and preparation of single-cell RNA-sequencing libraries
- CRISPR-Cas12a screening and functional genetic approaches
- Viral transduction and BSL-2 work
- Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence
- Drug response and growth assays
- Immunoblotting and other molecular and phenotypic assays

You will have the opportunity to work at the intersection of pediatric cancer biology, functional genomics, and emerging model systems, while contributing to research with clear translational relevance. 

Qualifications

We are looking for an enthusiastic and scientifically curious candidate with a Master's degree in biomedicine, medicine, or an equivalent field.
Previous hands-on experience with cell culture, including BSL-2 viral work, and molecular biology techniques is expected. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Above all, we are looking for someone who is eager to learn, enjoys experimental problem-solving, and wants to contribute to a collaborative research environment tackling challenging questions in pediatric cancer.

Desirable/Additional Merits

Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered a strong advantage:
- BSL-2 viral work
- Flow cytometry and/or sorting
- Molecular cloning
- CRISPR-based screening or genome engineering
- Epigenetics
- Brain tumor biology
- Functional genomics or single-cell approaches

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a dynamic research environment and contribute to advancing our understanding of one of the most challenging pediatric brain tumors. If you are motivated by ambitious biological research questions and are eager to develop your experimental skills by working with modern research methods, we look forward to hearing from you.

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position, 12 months. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Veronica Rendo, veronica.rendo@igp.uu.se

Please submit your application by 16 October 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2499