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Signal Transduction Laboratory, Rolf Luft Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet. This laboratory focus on signal transduction in the pancreatic beta-cell, where one general aim for the current project is to better understand the dynamics of progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes. The laboratory is connected with laboratories in USA, South Korea, Singapore and China.

Your mission

We are recruiting a senior lab manager to develop protocols for assessment of in vitro and in vivo  calcium dynamics at single cell and subcellular level using epifluorescence and confocal microscopy in different diabetic mouse models. This work will initially focus on investigating how insulin-secreting beta cells regulate their functionality under metabolic stress conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. We want to identify key defective/compensatory regulatory steps in the insulin secretory machinery of metabolically challenged models by using calcium as a beta cell functional read-out and the anterior chamber of the eye as a transplantation site for in vivo imaging, non-invasively, over time, beta cells at single cell resolution. This will help us to better understand beta cell function and dysfunction at the mechanistic level and to identify possible therapeutic intervention steps. Single cell and subcellular in vivo calcium imaging will also be extended to other endocrine cell types besides beta cells as well as other islet cell types known to be involved in the regulation of insulin secretion. In this way we can establish a model where we are able to interrogate the functionality of different cell types within the islet in parallel.

Your profile

The successful applicant will have a PhD in a relevant area according to the specific position description stated and have in-depth knowledge in in vivo calcium imaging, microscopy and large image data analysis as well as in statistical methods. Extensive knowledge in mouse diabetic models and molecular regulation of metabolism as well as expertise in designing and conducting in vivo functional metabolic experiments and in techniques used in molecular biology and biochemistry measuring metabolic parameters are necessary. The applicant must have experience in pancreatic islet isolation, islet functional assays and islet transplantation into the anterior chamber of the eye. In-depth knowledge in in vivo calcium imaging using epifluorescence and confocal microscopy as well as familiarity with different image analysis softwares for microscopy like ImageJ/FIJI or CellProfiler are necessary. The work will require combining in vivo calcium imaging experiments in mouse diabetic models with large-scale computational data analysis and mathematical modeling. Knowledge and experience with at least one relevant programming language (R and/or Python), previous experience specifically with Matlab and willingness to learn additional programming languages are necessary. The actual candidate should be able to work independently and conduct his/her own research project(s) as well as work together in a group.

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. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles to several benefits such as extended holiday and generous occupational pension. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Solna

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:
• A complete resumé, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic
positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

Welcome to apply at the latest February 16, 2020

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

Permanent position are initiated by a six months trial period.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

Type of employment Permanent position
Contract type Full time
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-627/2020
Contact
  • Per-Olof Berggren, Professor, Forskargruppsledare, per-olof.berggren@ki.se
Union representative
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
  • Virpi Töhönen, SACO, virpi.thononen@ki.se
  • Elisabeth Noren-Krog, OFR, elisabet.noren-krog@ki.se
Published 31.Jan.2020
Last application date 16.Feb.2020 11:59 PM CET

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