Postdoctoral scholarship - in vivo drug discovery for beta-cell regeneration - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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The research group

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 metabolism. CMB is located in Biomedicum, a new interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna under one roof to promote collaboration. Biomedicum houses approximately 1,200 researchers and other personnel and allow expensive equipment to be shared and used more effectively.

The main interest in the lab of Olov Andersson is to study how small molecules can promote regeneration of insulin-producing beta-cells and improve metabolic control, as future curative approaches for diabetes. In an ERC-funded lab the successful applicant will use chemical-genetic screening techniques in zebrafish to identify compounds, genes and signalling pathways that can promote β-cell regeneration.

Visit the lab’s website:

https://ki.se/en/cmb/olov-anderssons-group

For examples of how the research can be conducted, please see:

Charbord et al., Nature Metabolism:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-021-00391-x?proof=t

Karampelias et al., Nature Communications:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23673-0

Liu et al., eLife:

https://elifesciences.org/articles/65758

Duties

The present project will span from pharmacology to genetics in zebrafish, as well as translational studies in the mouse and human cell cultures. The studies will include assessing beta-cell neogenesis, proliferation and transdifferentiation, and how such cellular changes affect glycemia.

The zebrafish are amenable to efficient transgenesis and high-resolution imaging. We will make use of these properties to generate transgenic, knock-in and mutant zebrafish for single-cell analysis of phenotypes and lineage tracing.

The successful applicant will have a strong background in cell and molecular biology or biochemistry, and keen interest in using model organisms to study beta-cell regeneration and metabolism.

Funding for the position is available for an initial period of two years.

Entry requirements

We are looking for independent and driven candidates who have at least one first-name publication in a peer-reviewed journal. A documented ability to independently carry out experimental research projects is required, as are good communication skills in spoken and written English.

The successful applicants may have experience in one or several of the following techniques/models:

1. Molecular, cellular and biochemical techniques, e.g. cloning, qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry
2. Drug screening
3. Bioinformatics
4. Metabolism/diabetes research in mouse models
5. Organoid cultures
6. Zebrafish as a model system (note, not necessary)

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.

To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: Stockholm

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

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

• 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
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

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

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