Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology

Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching in immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. MTC has about 430 active employees, including 80 PhD students, 77 postdoctoral researchers and 32 professors. Key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, translational, national and international collaborations. MTC has recently moved to Biomedicum, a new premises offering exciting scientific opportunities.

Division
The Schlisio lab at Karolinska Institute, Sweden, seeks a postdoctoral fellow to work on molecular principles of tumor formation arising from the sympathoadrenal cell lineage (neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma) to explore cell of origin, disease initiation and tumor heterogeneity.

Duties
We are seeking a motivated, creative post-doctoral candidate interested in tumor mouse models arising from the sympathoadrenal lineage, such as neuroblastoma (NB) and pheochromocytoma (PCC), with the aim to understand the molecular principles of these tumors at a previously unprecedented level. The neuroblastoma cell of origin is thought to be a developing sympathoblast, however, its precise cell of origin remains unknown. Single cell transcriptomics will identify gene expression clusters that are prominent in specific embryonic sympathoadrenal developmental stages in NB and PCC. Identifying the cell(s) of NB/PCC origin and their temporal development will provide mechanistic insight into: disease initiation, heterogeneity, progression, clinical behavior and spontaneous NB regression.

The project involves novel neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma animal models that are generated in our lab to investigate the dynamics of tumor formation in a single cell mode to compare events in the early tumor with already defined trajectory. This approach may explain the role of known mutations and will help to devise new tumor-differentiating strategies in vivo.

We are currently addressing the following questions:

  • Understanding the clinical heterogeneity of neuroblastoma: What distinguishes the “favorable” vs the “unfavorable” neuroblastoma?
  • What unique signatures can be found in the spontaneously regressing neuroblastoma?
  • Do neuroblastoma types represent regulatory patterns in early or late embryonic sympathoblast/crest populations?
  • Can we identify cell-of-origin subpopulations for neuroblastoma initiation?

For more information about the group see: http://ki.se/en/people/suschl

Entry requirements
Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. Successful applicants must have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a group and have good English communication skills.

Application process
An employment application must contain the following documents in English:

  1. 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
  2. A complete list of publications
  3. A summary of current work (no more than one page)

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

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 Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-4932/2018
Contact
  • Susanne Schlisio, susanne.schlisio@ki.se
Union representative
  • Daisy Hjelmqvist SACO, daisy.hjelmqvist@ki.se
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
Published 05.Oct.2018
Last application date 19.Oct.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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