Letellier

This postdoctoral position is a joint opportunity between the MDM group at the University of Luxembourg, led by Prof. Letellier, and the laboratory of Prof. Tejpar at KU Leuven. The research centers on understanding stromal–epithelial crosstalk in colorectal cancer (CRC), with a particular focus on how fibroblasts transition into cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes and how these subtypes influence epithelial plasticity, immune responses, tumor progression, and therapy resistance. The project leverages state-of-the-art single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and spatial transcriptomics on CRC patient samples, aiming to identify novel epithelial cell states and distinct CAF subpopulations. The postdoctoral fellow will integrate spatial transcriptomics, advanced co-culture organoid assays, and in vivo models to decode the mechanisms underlying CAF-driven CRC evolution. Access to data from active clinical trials through Prof. Tejpar's group provides a unique opportunity to study stromal interactions under novel treatments and explore their therapeutic potential. The position offers a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, contributing to the TARGET-SEC project’s goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies targeting pro-tumorigenic stroma–epithelial interactions. The fellow will apply innovative bioinformatics approaches to human-relevant models and unique patient-derived tissue cohorts, dissecting the tumor ecosystem with emphasis on epithelial cells, CAFs, and immune cells. The role includes coordinating experiments, conducting bioinformatics analyses, collecting and interpreting data, ensuring scientific documentation, and presenting findings in consortium meetings and publications. A dedicated technician will support all in vitro and in vivo experiments. This position is ideal for candidates with expertise in bioinformatics, cancer biology, and advanced experimental techniques, seeking to contribute to impactful translational cancer research.

The University of Luxembourg is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join a collaborative project investigating stromal-epithelial crosstalk in colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. The position is based within the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM), which is known for its multidisciplinary expertise and international character. The successful candidate will work jointly between the University of Luxembourg and KU Leuven, under the guidance of Prof. Letellier and Prof. Tejpar, in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. The research focuses on understanding how fibroblasts from healthy colon tissue transition into distinct cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subtypes and how these subtypes regulate epithelial plasticity and immune responses, thereby promoting tumor progression and therapy resistance. The project leverages state-of-the-art single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), spatial transcriptomics, advanced co-culture organoid assays, and in vivo models to decode the mechanisms underlying CAF-driven CRC evolution. Access to clinical trial data through Prof. Tejpar's group provides a unique opportunity to study stromal interactions under novel treatments and explore their therapeutic potential. The postdoctoral fellow will apply innovative bioinformatics approaches to human-relevant models and patient-derived tissue cohorts, aiming to dissect the tumor ecosystem with a focus on epithelial cells, CAFs, and immune cells. The role includes coordinating experiments, conducting bioinformatics analyses, ensuring scientific documentation, presenting data at consortium meetings and in publications, and contributing to general laboratory tasks. The position offers a fixed-term contract of 24 months, a competitive yearly gross salary of EUR 85,176, and support from a dedicated technician. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant discipline, strong computational and biostatistics skills, experience with single-cell sequencing and spatial omics, and a solid understanding of cancer biology. Applications should be submitted online, including a CV, cover letter, and contact details for at least two referees. The University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture and encourages applications from all backgrounds.