You will be joining the dynamic Lipidomics Group at the University of Pardubice, working on high-impact research funded by prestigious grants:<ol><li>ERC Advanced grant “Oncolipidomics: Why is lipidomic dysregulation pattern in blood similar for various cancers? (ONCOLIPID)”</li><li>OP JAK grant “Saving lives through research in early cancer detection and prevention: Molecular, genomic and societal factors (SALVAGE)”</li></ol><h3>Two Postdoctoral Positions in Lipidomics and Glycomics</h3><ul><li>Start Date: January 2025 (or as soon as possible)</li><li>Duration: 12 months, with a possibility of extension until the end of the project (August 2028)</li><li>Location: Lipidomics Group of Prof. Michal Holčapek, University of Pardubice, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Czech Republic</li><li>Salary: Competitive, based on university guidelines, and commensurate with experience and skills.</li></ul><h3>1. Lipidomics Postdoc</h3>You will be involved in the complete lipidomic analysis workflow, including:<ul><li>Sample preparation using established extraction protocols.</li><li>Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS).</li><li>Data processing using LipidQuant software.</li><li>Advanced statistical evaluation using multivariate analysis tools (e.g., Simca, R-scripts).</li></ul>This role offers hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation and in-depth exposure to lipidomics applied to cancer biomarker discovery.<h3>2. Glycomics Postdoc</h3>You will focus on the glycomic analysis of glycans enzymatically released from glycosphingolipids, including:<ul><li>Sample preparation including enzymatic cleavage of glycans.</li><li>UHPLC/MS.</li><li>Identification of glycan sequences from MS/MS spectra, retention behavior, and ion mobility data, and quantitation.</li><li>Advanced statistical evaluation using multivariate analysis tools (e.g., Simca, R-scripts).</li></ul>This position offers the opportunity to innovate in data processing workflows and contribute to cutting-edge glycomics research.<h4>Requirements for Both Positions</h4><ul><li>Ph.D. in (bio)analytical chemistry or a closely related field.</li><li>Proficiency in mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography.</li><li>Strong passion for scientific research, reliability, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team.</li></ul><h4>Preferred but not required:</h4><ul><li>Experience in lipidomic, metabolomic, or glycomic analysis.</li><li>Familiarity with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=38">supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry</a>.</li><li>Experience with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?mainauthorItems=8&amp;search=TIMS-TOF">TIMS-TOF (Bruker)</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=29-31-30-32&amp;mainauthorItems=5">QTOF (Waters)</a>, or QQQ (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=35-32-31&amp;mainauthorItems=55">Sciex</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?instrumentationItems=35-32-31&amp;mainauthorItems=10">Agilent</a>) instruments.</li><li>Knowledge of software tools for metabolomics/lipidomics (e.g., MZmine, Skyline).</li></ul><h4>About the Lipidomics Research Group</h4>Our group is an international, collaborative team of over 15 postdoctoral researchers and students. We offer a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment, with access to cutting-edge technology. We specialize in lipidomics and metabolomics by mass spectrometry, focusing on cancer biomarker discovery. Our patented methodology for the early detection of pancreatic and other cancers is currently being translated into clinical applications through our spin-off company, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.cz/articles?search=Lipidica">Lipidica</a>.&nbsp;We provide comprehensive training in lipidomic techniques to all new members, including hands-on experience with the latest instruments and software.<h4>Our Research Facilities</h4><ul><li>Mass Spectrometers: timsTOF Ultra (Bruker), QTOF Synapt G2Si (Waters), QTOF Xevo G2-XS (Waters), QTOF micrOTOF-QII (Bruker), MALDI LTQ Orbitrap XL (Thermo), 6500 QTRAP (Sciex), QqQ 6495D (Agilent), and Xevo TQD (Waters).</li><li>Chromatographs: 2x ultrahigh-performance supercritical fluid chromatograph Waters ACQUITY UPC2 system (Waters), ACQUITY Premier UPLC Bioinert System (Waters), 2x UHPLC Agilent 1290 Infinity series (Agilent), and UHPLC Agilent 1290 Infinity II Bio (Agilent).</li><li>Laboratory Equipment: Microbiological Safety Cabinet Mars Class II (LaboGene), Microbiological Safety Cabinet Class II MSC-Advantage™ Class II (ThermoFisher), Lab freezers (Arctiko and ThermoFisher), Homogenizer Combo Precellys Evolution + Cryolys Evolution (Bertin), etc.</li><li>Data Processing Software: MarkerLynx (Waters), LipidQuant (our software), LipidView (Sciex), Simca (Umetrics), MetaboScape and TASQ ® Software (Bruker), etc.</li></ul><h4>How to Apply</h4>If you are enthusiastic about joining a world-class research team, please send the following documents:1. A motivation letter detailing your research interests and why you want to join our group.2. Your CV, including a description of your skills and relevant experience.Candidates with strong experimental skills in mass spectrometry and chromatography will be prioritized. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Zoom interview.&nbsp;Note: The position remains open until filled. Early applications are encouraged.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.cz/articles?search=Michal+Hol%C4%8Dapek">Prof. Michal Holčapek, Ph.D.</a>University of Pardubice Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Analytical Chemistry Studentska 573, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic Phone: +420 466 037 087 Email: <a href="mailto:Michal.Holcapek@upce.cz">Michal.Holcapek@upce.cz</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://holcapek.upce.cz/">http://holcapek.upce.cz/</a><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/application::article.article/Univerzita-Pardubice-Michal-Holcapek.jpg" alt="Univerzita Pardubice: Prof. Michal Holčapek, Ph.D." width="null" height="null">

Two Postdoctoral Positions in Lipidomics and Glycomics

Michal Holčapek, a researcher in Analytical Chemistry of the Faculty of Chemical Technology of the University of Pardubice has won the Czech Brains Jury’s Extraordinary Award for 2024. With the Czech Brain Award (Česká hlava) being the most prestigious research award in the Czech Republic, Michal Holčapek won the award for his research into lipids and discovery of a method that can diagnose the pancreatic cancer from blood analysis only.The 2024 award ceremony was broadcast live by the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10213906625-ceska-hlava/22454416015/">Czech Television</a>.The Czech Brains Award is the most prestigious award available to researchers in the Czech Republic. The award has been been presented in several categories since 2002. Since 2007 the Czech Brains Initiative has organized a similar award for secondary-school students called Little Czech Brain (Česká hlavička). Last year, Ing. Barbora Kamenická, Ph.D., a graduate from the University of Pardubice, received the award in the Doctorandus category for technical sciences.Professor Michal Holčapek has been researching lipid analysis for a long time with special focus on the detection of some cancer types. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive tumours with 80% of the cases being diagnosed too late for the therapy to be effective and thus a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. For more than 20 years, Professor Holčapek’s team has focused on lipidomic analysis using mass spectroscopy combined with liquid or supercritical fluid chromatography, which enabled them to develop a number of validated analytical methods for detailed description of lipids in biological samples. Thanks to their research, it was possible to develop new screening methods to improve early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.The method is based on lipidomic analysis of blood, which determines the concentrations of more than 150 lipids. Thanks to the data from patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy individuals, a statistical model is created that can determine whether the patient suffers from the cancer with a certainty of 95%. The blood test has a number of advantages: it only requires a blood sample and it is reliable to detect even early stages of cancer and thus diagnose the cancer even before the onset of the first symptoms. In addition, similar concentrations of lipids have been observed in other cancer types, showing potential of a universal test for more types of cancer.Lipidica, a.s., a spin-off company founded by the University of Pardubice and FONS JK Group, a.s. is conducting the clinical trials in cooperation with Masaryk Oncological Institute in Brno, Olomouc University Hospital and another 13 hospitals across the Czech Republic. If the method is proved to be accurate and reliable in clinical testing, it can become a basis for national screening programme for those with high risk of pancreatic cancer, which would be unprecedented worldwide. In the long run, the team hopes to cover other types of cancer and implement a simple blood test into clinical practice, which would increase the chances of patients’ survival.<h3>Other laureates of the Czech Brains Award in 2024</h3><h5>Czech Brains National government award</h5><ul><li>Prof. Tomáš Jungwirth, Ph.D., Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences</li></ul><h5>INVENTION Award</h5><ul><li>Mgr. Jan Dobeš, Ph.D., Charles University, Faculty of Science</li></ul><h5>INDUSTRIE Award</h5><ul><li>Bene Meat Technologies a.s.</li></ul><h5>Doctorandus Award for technical sciences</h5><ul><li>Ing. David Vojna, Ph.D., Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences</li></ul><h5>Doctorandus Award for natural sciences</h5><ul><li>RNDr. Jakub Podgorný, Ph.D., Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences</li></ul><h5>LOREM Award</h5><ul><li>prof. PharmDr. Petr Pávek, Ph.D., Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové</li></ul><h5>Award of the Minister of the Environment</h5><ul><li>doc. Mgr. Lukáš Trakal, Ph.D., Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Environment &nbsp;</li></ul>

Michal Holčapek Winning the Czech Brains Award 

The pioneering research of Prof. Michal Holčapek and his team at the University of Pardubice is now being tested on patients in a clinical setting.A clinical trial has begun in the Czech Republic to assess the effectiveness of an early detection test for pancreatic cancer. This trial will evaluate the sensitivity of a novel blood test designed to detect precancerous changes. If successful, this lipidomics-based test could revolutionise pancreatic cancer screening, offering a major advance in early diagnosis.The trial is a collaborative effort between Lipidica – a company jointly owned by the University of Pardubice and FONS JK Group – and specialists in gastroenterology and oncology. Lipidica will perform sample analyses for the clinical study. Key partners include the University Hospital Olomouc and the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, with a total of 15 centres nationwide expected to participate.<blockquote><h4>Career: Postdoctoral Positions in Lipidomics and Glycomics</h4><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/job/1713">more details and contacts</a></li></ul>You will be joining the dynamic Lipidomics Group at the University of Pardubice, working on high-impact research funded by prestigious grants:<ol><li>ERC Advanced grant “Oncolipidomics: Why is lipidomic dysregulation pattern in blood similar for various cancers? (ONCOLIPID)”</li><li>OP JAK grant “Saving lives through research in early cancer detection and prevention: Molecular, genomic and societal factors (SALVAGE)”</li></ol><h5>Two Postdoctoral Positions in Lipidomics and Glycomics</h5><ul><li>Start Date: January 2025 (or as soon as possible)</li><li>Duration: 12 months, with a possibility of extension until the end of the project (August 2028)</li><li>Location: Lipidomics Group of Prof. Michal Holčapek, University of Pardubice, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Czech Republic</li><li>Salary: Competitive, based on university guidelines, and commensurate with experience and skills.</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Pardubice_University_of_Pardubice_254470ec4e.jpg" alt="University of Pardubice: University of Pardubice" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Pardubice_University_of_Pardubice_254470ec4e.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="803"></blockquote>This methodology, which allows for early diagnosis, was developed by Prof. Michal Holčapek, a prominent analytical chemist and world-renowned expert in lipids at the University of Pardubice’s Faculty of Chemical Technology. Holčapek, a recipient of the prestigious European ERC Advanced grant, and his team achieved this breakthrough by analysing lipids in standard blood samples and applying advanced multivariate statistical analysis. "The lipidomics test is non-invasive and could pave the way for a structured screening programme,” explains Prof. Holčapek. "It may enable earlier detection of pancreatic cancer, where treatment success rates are higher and patient survival outcomes improve."This innovative method has been published in Nature Communications, one of the world’s leading scientific journals, and is protected by two patents held by the University of Pardubice.Experts from the Czech Gastroenterological Society (CGS) report that approximately 2 400 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in the Czech Republic, and nearly 2 200 die from the disease within the same period. By 2030, experts project that pancreatic cancer will become the second leading cause of cancer deaths. "Pancreatic cancer is among the most aggressive forms of cancer – it develops asymptomatically over more than a decade but remains undetected until it is too advanced for effective treatment," says Prof. Ondřej Urban, M.D., Ph.D., Head of the Second Internal Gastroenterology and Geriatric Clinic at University Hospital Olomouc. "By the time symptoms appear, it is often too late for curative treatment, with surgery remaining the only potential cure, but only about 20% of patients qualify. The rest receive palliative care focused on extending life with as much quality as possible." For those with advanced pancreatic cancer, the average survival rate is about 1.5 years. However, patients diagnosed at an early stage can live up to six times longer. "We know that lipid profiles vary significantly in patients with pancreatic cancer," Prof. Urban adds. "This study aims to determine if the lipidomics test can detect these early lipid changes in high-risk individuals who feel healthy but may already have underlying disease."According to doc. MUDr. Jan Trna, Ph.D., Chief Physician of the Gastroenterology Department at the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, the successful validation of the new lipidomics test would represent a major breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment. "Currently, our options for identifying individuals at risk for pancreatic cancer are limited. Due to financial, capacity, and medical constraints, specialised preventive testing cannot be offered to everyone. However, blood sampling presents a different approach. For decades, we have sought methods to detect the disease early – which is absolutely critical for this particular cancer," says MUDr. Trna. The Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Programme now enables the identification of precancerous changes or early-stage cancer. Under this programme, gastroenterologists collaborate closely with clinical geneticists and radiologists who conduct specialised tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Currently, the screening programme is available only to individuals with a lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer exceeding 5%. "In the newly established centres of highly specialised care for digestive endoscopy, including our department, at-risk individuals undergo regular pancreatic examinations using MRI and endoscopic ultrasonography," explains doc. MUDr. Ilja Tachecí, Ph.D., Chair of the CGS and Head of the Second Internal Gastroenterology Clinic at the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Hradec Králové. Individuals considered at risk include those with a hereditary form of chronic pancreatitis, those with two or more direct relatives diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and carriers of specific genetic mutations – such as mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are also associated with breast and ovarian cancer."People at risk visit us for annual check-ups. As part of this study, we collect blood samples with their informed consent, which are then processed into plasma and sent to the Lipidica laboratory," explains Prof. Urban. The study thus analyses blood from both healthy high-risk individuals and patients with small, operable tumours. "Current diagnostic methods are highly effective but also costly and uncomfortable for patients. A test based on a simple blood draw would be a tremendous benefit for clinical practice. Our LDPC lipidomics test relies on a patent-protected methodology developed at the University of Pardubice, integrating insights from analytical chemistry, biostatistics, and other scientific disciplines," adds Ing. Karolína Kašparová, Director of Lipidica, which is also an accredited medical laboratory.Lipidica, a.s., a joint venture between the University of Pardubice and FONS JK Group a.s., has been <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.upce.cz/en/neuron-awards-goes-to-lipidica-spin-off-of-the-university-of-pardubice">recognised with the Neuron Prize</a> for its exceptional bridging of science and business.The study began this year and is expected to conclude in 2027, involving over 400 participants. If the test's specificity and sensitivity are confirmed, experts note it may still take time before the test becomes a standard part of clinical care and before it is determined whether health insurers will cover it or if individuals will need to pay out of pocket. The manufacturer has indicated, however, that the price should not exceed a few thousand Czech korunas.&nbsp;

Clinical trial begins in Czech Republic to test groundbreaking pancreatic cancer detection method

Scientists from the University of Pardubice (UPCE) are further refining their method capable of detecting pancreatic cancer from a simple blood sample. Their latest findings have been published in Communications Medicine. The key work was carried out by a team of analytical chemists led by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Michal+Hol%C4%8Dapek">Prof. Michal Holčapek</a> from the Faculty of Chemical Technology.The researchers have long focused on lipid analysis and its application in detecting various types of cancer. The sample series was measured in collaboration with Lipidica, a spinoff company of the University of Pardubice and the FONS JK Group holding.<blockquote>The new findings were published in Communications Medicine, which is part of the prestigious Nature publishing portfolio: "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-026-01445-5">Pilot study of screening method for pancreatic cancer using lipidomic profiling of plasma or serum</a>"</blockquote><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Communications_Medicine_6_127_2026_Fig_1_Overview_of_the_study_design_a3963a5f63.jpg" alt="Communications Medicine, 6, 127 (2026): Fig. 1 Overview of the study design. The figure illustrates the overall study workflow, including the methodology, primary research questions, and cohort structure across individual phases. A prospective sample collection involves 488 subjects, comprising 218 healthy controls, 177 PDAC patients, and 93 high-risk individuals." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Communications_Medicine_6_127_2026_Fig_1_Overview_of_the_study_design_a3963a5f63.jpg 125w," sizes="100vw" width="950" height="1185">The scientific team was the first in the world to demonstrate that pancreatic cancer can be detected using lipid analysis through a simple blood test. The test can distinguish patients from healthy individuals with high accuracy. The researchers have now tested and published evidence that their method also performs reliably in individuals who are at increased risk of developing the disease.“This is a crucial finding. Our screening method can accurately distinguish between patients and individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic carcinoma. This means that the method can also be applied to high-risk populations,” said Prof. Michal Holčapek from the Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice.Individuals at high risk of pancreatic cancer are the primary target group for screening. While the lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer in the general population is approximately 1.5 percent, it exceeds 5 percent in high-risk individuals. Major risk factors include genetic predisposition and a family history of the disease. The blood test developed at the University of Pardubice could be launched following successful completion of clinical validation. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.lipidica.com/become-part-of-the-lipidica-project/">Clinical validation is currently underway, with Lipidica</a> collaborating with 16 hospitals and specialized centers across the Czech Republic.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/HPL_Ccz_Den_2_Plenarni_prednaska_Jaky_je_prinos_chromatografie_v_lipidomicke_analyze_Michal_Holcapek_98c9b1a36c.jpg" alt="HPLCcz Day 2: Plenary lecture – What is the contribution of chromatography in lipidomic analysis? (Michal Holčapek)" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_HPL_Ccz_Den_2_Plenarni_prednaska_Jaky_je_prinos_chromatografie_v_lipidomicke_analyze_Michal_Holcapek_98c9b1a36c.jpg 243w," sizes="100vw" width="2048" height="1319">Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive types of carcinoma. Statistics show that only 13 percent of patients survive five years after diagnosis. The poor prognosis is largely due to the lack of reliable tools for early detection. A non-invasive blood test with high sensitivity and specificity could significantly improve treatment outcomes in the future.Prof. Holčapek’s research team has been engaged in lipid analysis for more than twenty-five years. In recent years, the team’s work has appeared multiple times in prestigious scientific journals, such as Nature Metabolism and Nature Communications. According to the Web of Science database, their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-27765-9">2022 publication</a> describing the first lipidomic test enabling early detection of pancreatic cancer ranks among the most highly cited articles in the field of biology and biochemistry.

Scientists from the University of Pardubice Publish Another Study on Cancer Detection

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