Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Type: Postdoc

Biophysical Tools for the Study of Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion

 

Overview:

Applications are invited for a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Fellow in the Life Sciences Complex at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Candidates should have a Ph.D. degree in the areas of Biophysics, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering or a related field with an excellent track record for innovative research.

With a strong focus on interdisciplinary work the project will involve a collaboration between labs in cancer biology, biophysics and cellular biomechanics. McGill is ranked among the finest research-intensive universities in the world. The trainee will have access to the Advanced BioImaging Facility, Cell Imaging and Analysis Network and extensive light microscopy workshops and courses. They will have opportunities to attend seminars from world-renowned scientists speaking in Physiology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering and the Goodman Cancer Research Centre. There will also be links to the private sector for the development of custom acquisition and analysis software tools.

 

Project Summary:

The candidate will join a multidisciplinary team to use and develop image correlation microscopy  (ICM) tools to measure dynamics and interactions of key proteins involved in breast cancer cell migration and invasion. The techniques will be applied to investigate the role that the mechano-sensitive protein called lipoma preferred partner (LPP) plays in regulating breast cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis by looking at interactions with other signaling molecules and interactions with integrins at the cell membrane and the actin cytoskeleton. One key aspect of the project will be to develop in house software for ICM and combine that with traction force microscopy (TFM) measurements on the same cellular systems. The overall goal will be to decipher the molecular mechanisms controlling cell-matrix adhesion, cell migration, invasion and metastasis, and make the software more broadly available to the research community.

 

Education and Experience:

PhD in preferred areas including Biophysics, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering

 

Compensation:

The initial appointment is 1-year with potential for renewal for 2 additional years.

Starting salary depends on experience.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

 

  1. Perform experiments with LPP, other signaling proteins, integrins and actin binding proteins to determine the mechanisms used by LPP in regulating breast cancer.

 

  1. Live cell imaging, ICM and TFM experiments.

 

  1. Development of software for combined ICM/TFM measurements.

 

  1. Oversight and mentorship of graduate students working on the project.

 

  1. Keep abreast of the literation in the area.

 

  1. Take a lead role in manuscript writing.

 

  1. Present the work at national and international meetings.

 

  1. Tissue culture, transfections, live cell imaging, basic microbiology.

 

Experience in Any of These Areas is Desired:

 

  1. TFM or ICM an asset.

 

  1. MatLab, MetaMorph, Python, Visual Basic.

 

  1. Live cell imaging.

 

  1. Working with 3D cultures.

 

  1. Micropatterning.

 

  1. TIRF, confocal microscopy, spinning disk microscopy.

 

  1. Ability to work independently and efficiently but also work well as a part of a team.

 

  1. Strong verbal and written communication in English.

 

 

The list of duties and responsibilities outlined above is representative and not a complete and detailed list of tasks, which may be performed by an employee whose position has been matched to this description.

 

How To Apply:

Candidates should send their curriculum vitae, a one-page statement of past and future research interests, and the names and contact information of three references to:

 

Claire Brown

Associate Professor, Physiology

McGill University

claire.brown@(at)mcgill.ca