Postdoctoral studies in Human genetics of liver and cardiometabolic disease (Scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

We are looking for a dedicated researcher in statistical and medical genetics that will drive the frontier of human genetics within the Stefano Romeo Group at The Department of Medicine, Huddinge.

Division

CMU aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, MASLD/MASH. Molecular mechanisms of genetic, dietary, and hormonal regulation of cholesterol, triglyceride, bile acid, and lipoprotein metabolism are explored in human and preclinical models. Influence of diurnal rhythms, microbiota, and novel drugs are studied, also in major collaborations with industry. Members participate in national and international networks of associations and foundations, participate in multicenter clinical trials, and serve as experts in pathophysiology and pharmacology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics, cell-based systems, and mass spectrometry.

Duties

You will contribute to a project on the genetics of Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is a growing burden with a strong genetic component. It starts with liver fat accumulation and may progress to inflammation, namely steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis, and ultimately life-threatening conditions, namely cirrhosis and cancer. At an epidemiological level, MASLD is tightly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart failure (including its subtypes namely, heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction) and other metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes. However, its progression to diabetes and cardiometabolic complications varies, suggesting the presence of distinct MASLD subtypes with unique clinical trajectories. In this newly launched project, you will assist in analyzing whole-genome and exome-sequencing data from a large population-based cohort and smaller clinical studies, aiming to identify potential new gene targets for treating the disease and to predict clinical trajectory. Additionally, you will help investigate the enrichment of deleterious mutations in metabolic pathways. You will also perform RNA sequencing analyses of diverse tissues including liver and adipose.

To that end, you will conduct genetic association analyses at the GWAS level, utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms or generating genetic risk scores to identify common genetic variants that increase susceptibility to MASLD. Furthermore, you will analyze the enrichment of rare variants in liver disease and perform transcriptomic analyses to identify genes differentially expressed in the condition. You will also explore whether certain metabolic pathways are responsible for the onset and progression of liver disease, and examine the causal associations between MASLD and cardiometabolic syndrome using Mendelian Randomization.

This position requires expertise in statistical genetics and in programming languages. Additionally, the position requires a clear understanding of human physiology and clinical medicine and expertise in cardiometabolic diseases.

Entry requirements

Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate 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.

In addition to the eligibility criteria, the applicant should demonstrate:

• Strong background in human physiology and cardiology.
• Clinical understanding relevant to human genetics.
• Background in statistical genetics with expertise in programming language.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.

Location: Flemingsberg

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and the scholarship period is for 6 months. 

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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