Project summary: Several lines of evidence exist that molecularly distinct forms of breast cancer defined by mRNA expression, miRNA expression, CGH alterations or methylation are different with respect to molecular features such as proliferation capacity, mutation frequency and genetic polymorphisms. The planned experiments include performing molecular profiling of primary tumors on multiple levels (mRNA, miRNA, CGH, methylation, protein, SNPs and CNVs), and analyzing the generated data with respect to tumor characteristics, pathological findings, presence of DTC (disseminated tumor cells), disease relapse. The studies will be performed using materials from primary tumors of breast cancer patients, enrolled in the Oslo 2 study at three main hospitals in Oslo, Oslo University Hospital, (Radiumhospitalet, Ullevål), and Akershus University Hospital. Biopsies from the primary tumour and the sentinel lymph nodes, as well as blood and bone marrow are collected and presence of micrometastases in blood and bone marrow are monitored at the time of diagnosis. We have accumulated considerable experience with these types of studies from pilot projects and the candidate will receive adequate methodological and technical assistance. The experiments will be performed by the candidate in collaboration with the Microarray Core Facility at Radiumhospitalet and the Centre Nationale de Genotypage in Paris. The biostatistical data analysis will be performed together with our established collaborators in Norway and abroad. We will welcome a candidate with good communication skills, well performing in a team with the other PhD students and technical assistants contributing to the project, as well as interacting adequately with our external collaborators. Candidates are welcome to take contact and make appointment for an interview. Position is available from 01.01.2010 for 3 years.
Closing date: December 15th, 2009.

Salary for PhD students: starts at NOK 345 000 escalating to NOK 369 000 after 2 years.

Project summary: The project of a postdoc will be in close interaction with the described PhD project above and will include integrated analyses of possible interactions between the various factors in the host and the environment that influence the development and progression of breast cancer based on the accumulated molecular data. Exploratory methods (such as clustering and principal components analysis) as well as model-based approaches (including Bayesian modeling, mixed models and penalization schemes) will be adapted and further developed for the purpose of discovering and understanding interactions between environmental factors, gene expressions and SNPs, and their association with clinical end-point variables. To validate results, simulation based test procedures (bootstrapping, permutation testing) will be applied. The candidate may have both background in molecular biology, and/or in computing, and bioinformatics, and should hold a PhD or delivered her/his thesis by 31.12.2009. We will welcome a candidate with high skills in communication and leadership, which can perform and participate in the management of the team with other postdocs, PhD students, and technical assistants. We seek a candidate that can contribute to the project as well as interacting adequately with the groups scientists and our external collaborators. Candidates are welcome to take contact and make appointment for an interview. Position is available from 01.01.2010 for 2 years.
Closing date: December 15th, 2009.

Salary for Postdocs: NOK 435 000

Contact persons, both positions (PhD as well as Postdoc):

Or contact: secretary Mona Hagen at mona.hagen@rr-research.no, phone +4722781374

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