Postdoc position in mechanisms of tumor dormancy in bone

Overview

Organisation/Company University of Basel
Research Field Biological sciences » Other Medical sciences » Other
Job Status Full-time
Type of Contract Temporary
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Country Switzerland
Final date to receive applications 26 Feb 2026 - 22:59 (UTC)

The Department of Biomedicine is a joint effort between the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel. It unites basic and clinical scientists to advance our understanding of health and disease and to develop pioneering therapies benefiting the lives of patients in areas of unmet need. With more than 70 research groups and 800 employees, the Department of Biomedicine is the largest department at the University.

We are located in the heart of Basel at 6 different locations. Be part of our future!

A Postdoc position is available in the laboratory of Professor Momo Bentires-Alj at the Department of Biomedicine (DBM) in Basel, Switzerland. The successful candidate will work on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast tumor dormancy with a focus on the bone microenvironment.

Selected publications of our lab include:
1) Glucocorticoids promote breast cancer metastasis. Obradovic MMS et al., Nature 2019.
2) Hepatic stellate cells suppress NK cell-sustained breast cancer dormancy. Correia AL et al., Nature 2021.
3) Feed-forward loops between metastatic cancer cells and their microenvironment—the stage of escalation. Baumann Z, et al., EMBO Mol Med. 2022.
4) Optimized full-spectrum flow cytometry panel for deep immunophenotyping of murine lungs. Baumann Z et al., Cell Rep Methods. 2024.
5) Microenvironmental Regulation of Dormancy in Breast Cancer Metastasis: "An Ally that Changes Allegiances". Kabak EC et al., Adv Exp Med Biol. 2025.

The successful candidate will work on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the reciprocal crosstalk between cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment using mouse models, patient samples, and ex vivo 3D cell culture. The candidate will implement a variety of OMICs at single cell and spatial levels, as well as standard and advanced molecular and cellular biology approaches. The selected candidate will collaborate with the tissue engineering group of Prof.

Ivan Martin (DBM).

Responsibilities and expectations: A strong experience in metastasis research and/or the tumor microenvironment (e.g., immunology, stromal biology, dormancy). Expertise in mouse models, 3D cultures, tissue engineering, single cell OMICs and/or advanced imaging techniques (e.g., intravital imaging) is a plus. The candidate should demonstrate scientific curiosity, ability to think critically and a strong aptitude for interpreting/analyzing complex data. We are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, creative, able to work independently, and as a part of an interdisciplinary team, and fluent in English with strong written and oral communication skills.

Environment and opportunities: A stimulating, challenging and interdisciplinary translational research environment, state-of-the-art technologies and core facilities, and attractive employment conditions. The DBM is an international institute pursuing basic, translational and clinical research, with access to cutting-edge core facilities and in the heart of the multicultural city of Basel.

Lab website: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Application / Contact

Please upload your CV, a summary of your research experience and interests, techniques that you are competent in, and the contact details of three referees including your current PI at:

-2026

Final date to receive applications:
Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

Contact: thmrjobapplication-dbm