Postdoctoral studies in Bone Biology (Scholarship) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of 6 divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

The department of Laboratory Medicine is tightly connected with clinical researchers and healthcare teams at several departments of the Karolinska University Hospital, which allows for translational research involving clinical material and the potential to bring new therapies from bench to bedside. The facilities at Laboratory Medicine offer state-of-the art cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry and microscopy facilities. The vision of the Department is to conduct research to promote human health. This research often leads to new diagnostic methods, clinical practices or to new treatments.

The Division of Pathology and the research group
The Division of Pathology is one of the divisions within the Department of Laboratory Medicine in Huddinge. Our research spans from the whole-body level down to specific tissues and organs at the molecular level. Research is conducted in close collaboration with other departments at KI and also the Karolinska University Hospital. 

The research group pf Assistant Professor Tuomas Näreoja is part of a highly interactive research environment within the fields of bone biology, cancer research and regenerative medicine.

The main research focus of Dr. Näreojas’s group is to understand signaling in bone remodeling, osteoclast function and inflammatory bone resorption and osteolysis. The group’s long-term aim will be to screen better small molecule drugs for osteoporosis; detect and alleviate inflammatory bone resorption; and to produce bone for applications in regenerative medicine. Dr. Näreoja’s current work focuses on pre-clinical in vitro studies on communication between bone resorbing osteoclasts (OC), osteocytes (OY) inhabiting channels inside bone and bone mineralizing osteoblasts (OB) as they remake bone; and development of diagnostics for inflammatory osteolysis.

Project description
The primary aims of the proposed project are to:

1. Further develop our 3D in vitro model (Deguchi et al. 2016) to include OYs, OCs, and OBs, and functionalization (e.g. proteins, NO and pH-probes).
2. Elucidate and understand the coupling mechanisms in the intertwined signaling between OCs, OBs and OYs in mineralization. While OYs stimulate differentiation of OCs and OBs they also inhibit it by osteoprotegerin and sclerostin, respectively. In our model we can examine the impact of the signals in a sub-cellular resolution enabling us to establish precise molecular mechanisms. The hydrogel allows diffusion of added modulators and bone particle size of sub-wavelength of visible light enables tracking of the induced modulation.
3. Learn how to modulate balance between mineralization and resorption in an in vitro model replicating the bone-remodeling unit, and to establish quantifiable parameters to describe effects of drug candidates have on the balance of the bone remodeling cycle. In the in vitro model complemented with appropriate growth factors we are able to test osteoinductive drugs in an environment that is able to model their impact on the surrounding signaling network.

Your profile and entry requirements
We are seeking a highly talented and enthusiastic Postdoctoral fellow with a Ph.D. degree and a background in 3D model development and bone biology and/or cell biology, as well as a strong track record in research. Candidates with extensive experience in stem cell research, cell signaling advanced cell culture protocols and experience with single-cell transcriptomics and cell sorting are encouraged to apply. Knowledge in bone remodeling, osteoclastogenesis, OB differentiation OB-OC – coupling and osteocyte cultures is preferable. State-of-the-art experience with high-content imaging and analysis is a merit. 

The successful candidate should be self-motivated and able to keep herself/himself informed on developments of the relevant research field, and also, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and organizational skills. The candidate must be able to integrate well into the group and the international and multidisciplinary research environment as a whole. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is a requirement. The selected candidate will be a part of a team, and collaborate closely with graduate and undergraduate students.

PhD-students who have yet to graduate may apply if their thesis defense is scheduled to take place within three months after the application deadline, in which case verification from the Dissertation Committee, or equivalent body, must then be submitted with the application.

Postdoctoral scholarship
A scholarship for postdoctoral studies can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four-year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
The initial scholarship is awarded for the duration of 12 months, with possibility for extension depending on scientific progress.

Application process
The application must contain the following documents in English:


• Motivation letter, including a summary of applicant’s current research and Ph.D. studies (max two A4 pages).
• A complete Curriculum Vitae, including date of the thesis defense, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position and academic distinctions presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio.
  https://ki.se/en/about/qualifications-portfolio-for-teachers-and-researchers
• A complete list of publications with description of the applicant’s role in the publication.
• Verification from the thesis defense committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defense is scheduled within three months after the application deadline).
• Names and contact details of two persons who are familiar with the applicant’s recent research and training and are able to provide a letter of reference.

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

What do we offer?
A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden.

Location: Flemingsberg