Letellier

The University of Luxembourg is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics & Cancer Biology to join a collaborative group investigating stromal-epithelial crosstalk in colorectal cancer. The position is based within the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM), which is known for its multidisciplinary expertise and international character. The research team, led by Prof. Letellier at the University of Luxembourg and Prof. Tejpar at KU Leuven, focuses on understanding how fibroblasts transition into cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes and how these subtypes influence epithelial plasticity and immune responses, ultimately promoting tumor progression and therapy resistance. The successful candidate will apply advanced bioinformatics approaches to analyze single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics data from colorectal cancer patient samples, integrating these with co-culture organoid assays and in vivo models. The aim is to dissect the tumor microenvironment, with particular emphasis on epithelial cells, CAFs, and immune cells, profiling their heterogeneity, lineage plasticity, and evolutionary dynamics. The postdoctoral fellow will work jointly between the University of Luxembourg and KU Leuven, benefiting from access to data from active clinical trials and a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. The position is part of the TARGET-SEC project, which seeks to identify novel therapeutic strategies targeting pro-tumorigenic stroma-epithelial interactions in colorectal cancer. The role includes coordinating experiments, conducting bioinformatics analyses, implementing new tools, ensuring scientific documentation, and presenting findings in consortium meetings and scientific publications. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant discipline, strong computational skills (including proficiency in R and another scripting language), solid knowledge of biostatistics, and experience with single-cell sequencing and spatial omics. Experience in high-performance computing environments is preferred, as is a strong understanding of cancer biology, immunology, cell biology, and molecular biology. The position offers a fixed-term contract for 24 months, with a yearly gross salary of EUR 85,176, and is based at the Belval Campus. The University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Applications should be submitted online, including a CV, cover letter, and contact details for at least two referees. Early application is encouraged.