Karolinska Institutet,

Department

Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching in immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. MTC has about 430 active employees, including 81 PhD students, 77 postdoctoral researchers and 32 professors. Key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, translational, national and international collaborations.

Department

We search for an Assistant professor that together with Associate Professor Susanne Schlisio and her team will work on Neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma pathogenesis. 

For more information about the group see: http://ki.se/en/people/suschl and http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/stockholm-branch/susanne-schlisio-lab

How and when during development does childhood neuroblastoma (NB) and pheochromocytoma (PCC) arise? We aiming to elucidate the origin and heterogeneity of human neuroblastoma (NB) and pheochromocytoma (PCC). NB is a cancer of early childhood that arises from the developing sympathetic nervous system births that despite its relative rareness accounts for 15% of childhood cancer mortality. While primary NB tumors occur in sympathetic neural tissue, most commonly arising in the adrenal medulla their precise origin is poorly understood. In pediatric tumors such as NB the underlying developmental processes are considered to be important, and NB can be considered as a failure of differentiation of neural crest cells underscoring the importance of understanding this process as it proceeds normally.

The clinical hallmark of childhood neuroblastoma is heterogeneity, ranging from spontaneous regression to relentless progression. The cell of origin is thought to be a developing sympathoblast. However, its precise cell of origin remains unknown and the genetic basis of neuroblastoma remains obscure. Identifying the developmental cell of origin will reveal the causes of disease heterogeneity and clinical behavior. Understanding what triggers spontaneous neuroblastoma regression would provide critical clues for the development of therapeutic strategies that are currently missing in high risk neuroblastoma.

We are looking for one outstanding researcher to work on the computational analyses of a large-scale single-cell transcriptome project on neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma. In this project we will generate “molecular encyclopedias” of this tumor in order to understand the molecular principles concerning the origin, progression and subtypes of this tumor at a previously unprecedented level, using state-of-the-art RNA-seq and bioinformatics technologies. Therefore, we seek an Assistant Professor with expertise in computational analyses of RNA-seq data and OMICS data.

Duties

This position includes computational analyses of single-cell RNA-seq data should have a strong background in genome-wide bioinformatics, programming and linux environment. Previous experience with RNA-seq data analyses is required and additional experience with single-cell data, post-transcriptional gene regulation is a strong merit. This position includes the analysis, and development of tools to analyze, single-cell- and single-nuclei- RNA-seq data, as well as single nucleotide positions (SNPs) and non-coding RNAs, focusing on cancer evolution.

The applicant should have experience in genome-wide bioinformatic analysis in various biological systems, produced by high-throughput technologies (particularly single-cell- and single-nuc-Seq). The applicant should also have expertise in the developing bioinformatic tools to conduct SNPs and evolutionary analysis on different populations, preferably in open-source platforms. It is very important that the applicant have a strong knowledge of non-coding RNAs (e.g. miRNAs and lncRNAs).

For this position previously experience in high-throughput data analysis of single-cell sequencing (particularly single-nuc-Seq) and expertise in SNP analysis to study evolution and genome diversity in various biological systems is required. Previous expertise in mitochondria biology and post-transcriptional regulation is a strong asset. Candidates with undergraduate studies in Biology and Doctoral studies in Bioinformatics will be preferred, and probed international mobility will be considered an important asset. 

The employment as Assistant Professor is time limited for 4 years with the right to apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer. The employment is focused on research.

Eligibility requirements

Those eligible for employment as an Assistant Professor are individuals who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than five years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position of assistant professor.

Those who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence earlier may however be considered if special grounds exist. Special grounds refer to illness or parental leave.

Bases of assessment

Scientific expertise will be most important when assessing applicants. A PhD in relevant research areas (as described above) will be given priority, and previous work developing bioinformatic tools to conduct SNPs and evolutionary analysis on different populations, preferably in open-source platforms is required. Extensive experience working with high-throughput data analysis of single-cell sequencing (particularly single-nuc-Seq) and SNP analysis to study evolution and genome diversity in various biological systems is favorable. A strong scientific track record as supported by published papers in the subject area, in well recognized peer-reviewed journals is important. Social skills are also important.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in Swedish/ English: curriculum vitae, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio).

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system

 

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer

See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet chapter 3.3

An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer. An application is submitted to the Recruitment Committee. In order to be promoted to Senior Lecturer after an assessment by the Recruitment Committee, the applicant must meet the criteria below. The Assistant Professor can choose between two different promotion tracks; promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research or promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research.

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research

Assessment criteria

  1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior lecturer with focus on research”.
  2. Grants obtained as principal applicant in national or international competition that covers the applicant’s own salary for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor. Project funding obtained in national or international competition (i.e. excellence grants obtained from the Swedish Research Council, European Research Council (ERC), Wallenberg Foundation (WAF) or Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) that covers costs for salaries, rent, materials and other project-related expenses for the research for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor.
  3. First and/or senior author of a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles published in leading international scientific journals over a number of years after dissertation, with the emphasis on the qualification period as an Assistant Professor.
  4. An independent research line deemed by independent experts and departmental management to offer excellent future potential for both the individual researcher and the department in question.
  5. A documented good ability to lead the own research group – including staff responsibility and supervision of doctoral and/or postdoctoral students. Scientific expertise is emphasized when assessing applicants including successful scientific results in a good working climate, as well as documented collaborative abilities.
  6. All experience of undertaking assignments on behalf of the scientific community – such as board membership, internal assessment committees, departmental duties, organising courses and conferences and editorships – will be considered as merits.

 

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research

Assessment criteria

  1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research”.
  2. Higher education training of 10 weeks or equivalent competence in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
  3. Independent responsibility for planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and examination at all levels, first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) -cycle study programmes and courses – to a significant extent and over a period of at least three years with documented high level of quality.
  4. Pedagogical management assignments as course director at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle level.
  5. Extensive pedagogical experience of various forms of teaching and for various groups at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle levels.
  6. Completed, nationally and internationally presented pedagogical development work resulting in improved study programmes and/or courses.
  7. A clear plan for the own pedagogical activities (including pedagogical development work) that demonstrates a high level of quality and great potential.

If the applicant is deemed to fulfil all of the above criteria, they will be assessed by two experts in their field and must meet the eligibility requirements that apply to appointments as a Senior Lecturer at Karolinska Institutet.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-2157/2019
Contact
  • Susanne Schlisio, susanne.schlisio@ki.se
Union representative
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Daisy Hjelmqvist SACO, daisy.hjelmqvist@ki.se
Published 05.Apr.2019
Last application date 25.Apr.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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