Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för cell- och molekylärbiologi

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a department with a strong focus on basic science. CMB conducts research and education in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cancer and infection biology.

Division and project description
Obesity, diabetes and associated metabolic disease are becoming one of the most significant issues affecting modern health and medicine. Central to this is the adipose tissue. No longer considered merely a passive energy store, adipose tissue is fast emerging as a far more complex and heterogeneous tissue than previously believed. Yet much about fundamental adipose biology remains poorly understood.

The Spalding research group is interested in the maintenance (turnover) and heterogeneity of adipocytes in adult human adipose tissue. A broad range of methods are used to investigate this, including radiocarbon dating, retrospective lineage tracing and transcriptional profiling. The successful candidate will investigate the origin of different fat cells using single cell RNA sequencing techniques. To reach this goal, the group has set up methods for gene expression analysis of human adipose cells that can be used to understand transcriptional changes in tissues and cells. These data are analyzed by advanced bioinformatics methods to reveal new information about the origin and heterogeneity of human adipose cells.

Entry requirements
To qualify, the applicant must hold a PhD. Experience in the field of metabolism and working with fat tissue/adipocytes is essential. The applicant should have experience in molecular biology techniques, handling and working with adipose tissue (experience working with human adipose tissue is an advantage), immunohistochemistry and cell-sorting using FACS. Single-cell library preparation (SmartSeq2) and bioinformatics knowledge is preferred. 

The project is heavily dependent on technique development, so the ideal candidate should enjoy problem solving, be persistent, resourceful and self motivated. An ability to work independently is vital. Good English oral and written skills are a must.

A person is eligible for a position as Postdoctoral Researcher if he or she has obtained a PhD no more than seven years before the last date of employment as postdoc. The term can be extended under special circumstances.


Application process
An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

  1. A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
  2. A complete list of publications
  3. A summary of current work (no more than one page)
  4. Verifications for crediting of illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Immediately
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-2259/2018
Contact
  • Kirsty Spalding, PhD, Kirsty.Spalding@ki.se
Union representative
  • Magnus Anå, OFR, 08-524 864 37, magnus.ana@ki.se
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75 , biborka.bveress@ki.se
  • Elisabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, 08-524 863 53, elisabeth.valenzuela@ki.se
Published 23.Apr.2018
Last application date 10.Jun.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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