Researcher in spider genomics and silk transcriptomics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in several areas of medical science including aging, Alzheimer, biomaterial, molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, immunology, and nutrition. It offers an excellent international research and working environment, including around 250 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel. The Department resides in Neo at Campus Flemingsberg, a biomedical research building, aimed at being a creative and open environment that enables meetings, synergies, and exploration of areas of mutual interest across disciplines.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Your mission

We have developed the first biomimetic spinning method for production of artificial spider silk fibers. Now we aim to spin artificial silk fibers that match the native silk in terms of mechanical properties in a project that is funded by an ERC consolidator grant. To reach this goal we will use state-of -the art sequencing methods and protein engineering. The research group of Anna Rising currently consists of two PhD students, three technicians, one researcher and three post docs. The research group is located at Karolinska Institutet, campus Flemingsberg, and at SLU in Uppsala.

Spiders spin the toughest fiber known to man, but the understanding of the silk gland, silk genetics and composition of the silk fiber is poorly understood. In this project we will sequence the genome of a Swedish spider and use ScRNAseq, in situ sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to increase our understanding of function of the silk glands.

We are using single cell sequencing (10x chromium) in order to increase our understanding of the proteins involved in the spider silk spinning process and also do de novo assembly of the genome from a Swedish spider (PacBio and 10x). The applicant is expected to independently analyze, assemble and annotate sequence information that is generated at sequencing platforms at SciLife lab. Collection of spiders and isolation of DNA and RNA may be part of the duties and previous experience of this is meritious. The applicant is also expected to supervise doctorial students and master students in the lab as well as develop this line of research and raise own funds. We work in collaboration with other groups and very interdisciplinary, which demands the applicant to be independent, creative, have a positive attitude and be collaborative. The applicant is expected to work at both KI campuses as well as in Uppsala.

Your profile

A person is eligible to be appointed Researcher if he or she has been awarded a Degree of Doctor or has achieved the corresponding scientific competence, as well as documented research after the defense of his or her doctoral thesis.

The applicant must have a documented experience of de novo annotation of arthropod genomes, preferably the applicant has experience of analyzing arachnid genomes and silk genes. Furthermore, experience of analysis of scRNA sequence data using R is a requirement, as is experience of spider dissection including retrieval of the different silk glands and RNA isolation.  Knowledge of in situ sequencing and spatial transcriptomics is meritious. The successful candidate is expected to be self-motivated, organized and structured, enjoy academic work and have a positive attitude. Proficiency in speaking and writing English is a requirement.

Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability

Bases of assessment

We stress research expertise when assessing applicants.

What do we offer?

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 better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Flemingsberg

www.bionut.ki.se

https://ki.se/en/bionut/spider-silk-biology-for-biomedical-applications-anna-rising

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Application

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

Welcome to apply at the latest 14 March 2021.

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