Postdoctoral Researcher/The Strategic Research Programme for Diabetes (1) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Strategic Research Programme for Diabetes (SRP Diabetes) at Karolinska Institutet is funding a prestigious fellowship programme for postdoctoral research fellows. The Programme is focused on research in diabetes and its comorbidities. With this postdoctoral programme SRP Diabetes aims to support the next generation of exceptional young scientists within the diabetes area, including both experimental and clinical research. To promote cross-fertilization between research environments, we encourage scientists wishing to pursue postdoctoral training in a different university from where they carried out doctoral studies. As part of this programme, we are looking to recruit 5 outstanding postdoctoral research fellows. Full details on each project and contact information to the PIs can be found at: SRP diabetes postdoctoral fellowships

Based at Karolinska Institutet, fellows will undertake a cutting-edge research project, mentored by world-leading researchers in the field of diabetes. To increase coherence around the Fellowship programme, several events will be held throughout the year such as high-profile lectures, symposia, etc. which the fellows will attend.

The fellowships are fully funded, and salary is provided for a 2-year period. It is our intention that the positions will start in the autumn of 2022, though some flexibility with the start date might be possible.

Research Project (1)

Early life imprinting and modulation of the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Many immune mediated diseases including type-I diabetes are linked to perturbed immune system development or skewed immune-microbiome relationships early in life. Most information on immune development to date stems from mouse models or cord blood, but neither of these can account for environmental exposures in human newborns. Our group has performed a first longitudinal study of immune development in human newborns using modern systems immunology methods and revealed immune-microbe differences with possible relevance to diseases such as type I diabetes. Microbial composition is influenced by mode of delivery, feeding and antibiotic exposure and the microbiome evolves through an ordered sequence of events. Abundant beneficial microbes like Bifidobacterial species protect against allergies and type I diabetes in association studies, but mechanisms remain elusive. We have reported that metabolites such as Indole-3 Lactic acid, produced by bifidobacterial metabolizing human milk oligosaccharides, skew T-cell populations away from diseases associated states and induce immune tolerance by upregulating inhibitory factors such as Galectin 1 early in life (Henrick et al, Cell, 2021). This example of a probiotic-mediated immunomodulation study opens several interesting hypotheses for future mechanistic study and this is the focus of our SRP fellowship project.

Your profile

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.

Key responsibilities of the selected applicant:

• Plan, manage and conduct an agreed academic research project and associated activities.
• Cellular immunology analyses using modern systems-immunology methods such as Mass cytometry, spectral flow cytometry and single-cell genomics.
• Perform in vitro cultures, stimulation experiments using PBMCs from human children with type-1 diabetes and healthy control.
• Immune cell staining, sample acquisition and experience of Mass/Flow cytometry is critical
• Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate.
• Coordinate multiple aspects of work to deliver novel research data in accordance with established timelines set between you and the Principal Investigator.
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols to support research.
• Regularly write research articles at an international level for peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and reviews.
• Formally present your research and represent the research group at internal, national and international conferences and meetings, either with other members of the team or alone.
• Informally present your research to the group at established meetings.
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.

Selection Criteria

Essential 

• A PhD in a medical/biological subject.
• The ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities.
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.
• Ability to work with meticulous attention to detail and strong experience of the listed relevant experimental methods.
• An enthusiastic interest in the described project
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills and leadership, with the ability to communicate research ideas and results in a clear and logical way and the ability to confidently and effectively interact with colleagues and the broader research community.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• A conscientious and enthusiastic working approach.
• Excellent planning, organizational and problem-solving skills.

Each Fellowship and research Project is for up to two years. We will prioritize applicants who have the opportunity to complete the project and be employed for two years. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than three years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position as postdoc

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. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical 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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

For further information about working at Karolinska Institutet, rules for visa/residence permit, insurance and accommodation please see: International staff

How to apply

If you consider that you meet the selection criteria, click on the Login and apply button on this page and follow the on-screen instructions to register as a user. You will then be required to provide information in a number of screens with your application details, relating to your skills and experience. When prompted, please provide details of three references. You will also be required to upload a CV and Personal Letter which explains how you meet the selection criteria for the post. The Personal Letter (maximum two pages) should explain your relevant experience which may have been gained in employment, education, or you may have taken time away from these activities as illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances. Your application will be judged in part on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria outlined above and we are happy to consider evidence of transferable skills or experience which you may have gained outside the context of paid employment or education.

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

The closing date for applications is midnight CEST on Saturday 30th April, 2022.

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