Postdoctoral studies in immunology with focus on innate responses following vaccination (scholarship)

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Recent evidence suggests that natural killer (NK) cells, one of the major components of the innate immune system, can regulate vaccine-induced adaptive immune responses, as highlighted in experimental systems and characterization of clinical trial cohorts of vaccinated individuals. We are here searching for a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar interested in investigating the role and mechanisms of NK cells in orchestrating adaptive immune responses following human vaccination.

Division

The Center for Infectious Medicine (CIM) at Karolinska Institutet is a nationally leading and internationally competitive center for human translational immunology and infectious diseases research. The group, headed by Prof. Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren, has a strong interest in the immune reactions towards human viral infections, cancer, and vaccines. In particular, the group has long-track experience in the field of flavivirus-, hantavirus- and coronavirus-research, and most recently in SARS-CoV-2 virus infections and vaccination. The present project will be carried out under the supervision of Dr. Angelica Cuapio, a senior researcher within the group.

Duties

The project will focus on aspects related to: NK cell correlations to vaccine outcome, impact of vaccination on NK cells at a transcriptomic and proteomic level, and mechanistic insights of T cell response through NK cell modulation. The successful candidate will drive a multidisciplinary project combining bioinformatic analyses as well as functional characterization using in vitro and in vivo systems. The project will make use of valuable human material derived from clinical trials with vaccination platforms including live-attenuated virus vaccine (against YFV), inactivated vaccines (against JEV and TBEV), and mRNA vaccine (against SARS-CoV-2).

Primary duties include participating within existing projects, independently planning and implementing the main project. The candidate is expected to play a major role in experimental laboratory work, molecular and biostatistical analysis, presentation of results and manuscript preparation.

The duties involve routine cellular immunological techniques and establishment of molecular methods, as well as computational and biostatistical data analyses.

Entry requirements

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.

We are looking for an experienced postdoc-scholar candidate with a strong background in human cellular immunology, molecular biology and/or bioinformatics. The candidate should be a careful and detail-oriented person capable of close internal and external cooperation. For this, excellent communication skills in English are required.

Applicants must have extensive experience and prior knowledge in multi-parameter flow cytometry and advanced analysis, as well as bioinformatic skills (working with large data sets as e.g., generated by RNA sequencing). Experience with NK cell related-scientific projects is highly relevant but not mandatory. Experience and ample knowledge with respect to cell sorting, cell culture techniques and multiplex protein is a merit. Experience with RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, protein extraction, Western blotting, viability assays, and other molecular biology methods including troubleshooting are of additional advantage for the candidate. A publication record with at least one first-author peer-reviewed publication in a well-recognized journal is a requirement. Excellent proficiency in English, both oral and written is required. Knowledge of statistics, machine learning techniques, database management, an understanding of clinical work, or infectious diseases is an advantage.

Location: Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, up to two years, 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 (maximum two pages)
A complete list of publications
A summary of your research experience (max 500 words). Please include the main topics you have worked on and the methods you have used.
A personal letter describing why you are suitable for this position (maximum one page).

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

Application deadline: October.01.2022

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