The Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel, Switzerland, offers a postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Professor Momo Bentires-Alj. The department is a collaborative effort between the University of Basel and University Hospitals Basel, uniting basic and clinical scientists to advance health research and develop innovative therapies. With over 70 research groups and 800 employees, it is the largest department at the university, located across six sites in the heart of Basel.

This postdoc opportunity focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast tumor dormancy, particularly within the bone microenvironment. The successful candidate will investigate the reciprocal crosstalk between cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment using mouse models, patient samples, and ex vivo 3D cell culture systems. The project will employ a variety of OMICs technologies at single cell and spatial levels, alongside standard and advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques. Collaboration with the tissue engineering group of Professor Ivan Martin is expected, providing a multidisciplinary research environment.

The Bentires-Alj lab is renowned for its contributions to cancer research, with recent publications in Nature, EMBO Molecular Medicine, Cell Reports Methods, and Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Research topics include breast cancer metastasis, tumor dormancy, immunophenotyping, and microenvironmental regulation. The lab website (https://bentireslab.org/) provides further information about ongoing projects and publications.

Applicants should have strong experience in metastasis research and/or tumor microenvironment studies, such as immunology, stromal biology, or dormancy. Expertise in mouse models, 3D cultures, tissue engineering, single cell OMICs, and advanced imaging techniques (e.g., intravital imaging) is highly desirable. Candidates must demonstrate scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and strong data interpretation skills. Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities, creativity, independence, teamwork, and fluency in English (written and oral) are required.

The Department of Biomedicine offers a stimulating, challenging, and interdisciplinary translational research environment, access to state-of-the-art technologies and core facilities, and attractive employment conditions. Basel is a multicultural city with a vibrant academic community.

To apply, upload your CV, a summary of your research experience and interests, techniques you are competent in, and contact details of three referees (including your current PI) at this portal. Applications are reviewed as they arrive. For questions, contact [email protected]. The application deadline is February 26, 2026.