Karolinska Institutet, The Depertment of Medicine, Huddinge

The Department of Medicine, Huddinge consists of seven units and three centers and is active in many areas of cellular therapy and hematological medicine.

Division
The Cell and Gene Therapy Group (CGTG) at the Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM) within the Department of Medicine, Huddinge is led by group leader Dr. Evren Alici. The CGTG research group studies NK cells and their use in immunotherapy. The group develops new therapies for hematological malignanicies and solid tumors. Currently, the research group consists of 15 members, including 4 postdocs, 5 PhD students and 2 Master students.

Duties
The employment as Assistant Professor is time limited for 6 years with the right to apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

The successful applicant is expected to work independently within the field of cell and gene therapy against multiple myeloma and leukemia. The main focus will be on identifying and characterizing signaling pathways in human NK cells that lead to the eradication of tumor cells with minimal adverse effects. The successful applicant is expected to attract significant research grants for his/her research activities within a two-year period. He/she will assume responsibility in leading the day-to-day activities of parts of our research team.

As Assistant Professor your responsibilities will be:

  • Conducting scientific research in NK cell biology and the use of NK cells in settings of immunotherapy
  • Teaching in courses and seminars at the undergraduate and graduate level
  • Leading a strong team of postdocs, PhD students and other staff and directing their work
  • Publishing in leading journals
  • Identifying and taking the lead in preparing proposals for funded research projects, contracts and grants
  • Creating value by developing transferable IP (Intellectual Property) and collaborating with academia and industry
  • Preparing and submitting patent applications
  • Managing an independent research budget and secure funding for future research
  • Attending conferences, establishing research collaborations, giving talks and seminars, hosting visitors in the lab

Eligibility requirements 
Applicants must have obtained a PhD in relevant fields such as immunology, virology, molecular biology, or equivalent. Preference will be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than five years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position of Assistant Professor. Those who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence earlier may however be considered if special grounds exist. Special grounds refer to illness or parental leave. Reason, dates and extent must be clearly specified in the application and verified with relevant documentation.

Applicants must have postdoctoral experience in a biomedical research setting, demonstrated productivity and contribution (e.g. presentations, publications, technical reports, patents, etc.) to a relevant professional field, and have an established track record of directing/overseeing student trainees at the undergraduate or graduate level within a research setting.

Applicants must have experience in basic/experimental cell-mediated immunology, as well as work in animal models within the field of cancer immunotherapy, experience in pre-GMP cell culture of human cell lines and primary cells. Previous work using CRISPR/Cas9 to generate genetic modifications is mandatory. Prior experience with genetically modifying immune cells to target tumor-specific or mutated tumor-associated proteins is mandatory. A strong motivation to work in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, and willingness to interact with scientists both in academia and industry is also required. Having a track record of securing grants within this area of research is a strong merit.

Applicants must have a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English, and should have good communication skills in Swedish due to teaching obligations. The applicant must have the capability, as the principal applicant, to obtain external financing and have the potential to secure further funding within their area of research. Applicants must show documented pedagogical skills. The applicant must document the capacity to conduct successful and innovative research and publish in internationally leading journals within immunology, cellular therapy, oncology or related fields.

Bases of assessment
Applicants will be assessed on their scientific and pedagogical expertise.

Innovative Research
Candidates should be innovators who are engaged in or are prepared to embark in careers as independent investigators. Candidates are poised for success, including pursuit of external funding, technology development and entrepreneurial opportunities in their areas of expertise. A successful track record in developing transferable technologies through international patents and licensing agreements, as well as experience in Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies, is meriting.

Teaching
Candidates may show evidence of teaching skills and commitment to teaching through courses, seminars, and lectures. Demonstration that he/she plays a significant role in mentoring junior members towards achievement of individual or collective goals will be viewed favorably during application review. Participation in curriculum development and innovative educational methods will also be considered as evidence of teaching excellence.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in Swedish/ English: curriculum vitae, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio).

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

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research

Assessment criteria

  1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior lecturer with focus on research”.
  1. Grants obtained as principal applicant in national or international competition that covers the applicant’s own salary for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor. Project funding obtained in national or international competition (i.e. excellence grants obtained from the Swedish Research Council, European Research Council (ERC), Wallenberg Foundation (WAF) or Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) that covers costs for salaries, rent, materials and other project-related expenses for the research for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor.
  1. First and/or senior author of a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles published in leading international scientific journals over a number of years after dissertation, with the emphasis on the qualification period as an Assistant Professor.
  1. An independent research line deemed by independent experts and departmental management to offer excellent future potential for both the individual researcher and the department in question.
  1. A documented good ability to lead the own research group – including staff responsibility and supervision of doctoral and/or postdoctoral students. Scientific expertise is emphasized when assessing applicants including successful scientific results in a good working climate, as well as documented collaborative abilities.
  1. All experience of undertaking assignments on behalf of the scientific community – such as board membership, internal assessment committees, departmental duties, organising courses and conferences and editorships – will be considered as merits.

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research

Assessment criteria

  1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research”.
  1. Higher education training of 10 weeks or equivalent competence in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
  1. Independent responsibility for planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and examination at all levels, first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) -cycle study programmes and courses – to a significant extent and over a period of at least three years with documented high level of quality.
  1. Pedagogical management assignments as course director at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle level.
  1. Extensive pedagogical experience of various forms of teaching and for various groups at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle levels.
  1. Completed, nationally and internationally presented pedagogical development work resulting in improved study programmes and/or courses.
  1. A clear plan for the own pedagogical activities (including pedagogical development work) that demonstrates a high level of quality and great potential.

If the applicant is deemed to fulfil all of the above criteria, they will be assessed by two experts in their field and must meet the eligibility requirements that apply to appointments as a Senior Lecturer at Karolinska Institutet.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-5352/2018
Contact
  • Evren Alici, Evren.Alici@ki.se
Union representative
  • Mats Rudling, SACO, mats.rudling@ki.se
  • Yvonne Edlund OFR/ST , yvonne.edlund@ki.se
Published 05.Oct.2018
Last application date 26.Oct.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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