Karolinska Institutet, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Toftgård (RTO)

The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in several areas of medical science including bioorganic chemistry, molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, cellular virology, and nutrition. It offers an excellent international research and working environment, including around 300 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel. The Department resides in the new biomedical research building Neo, aimed at being a creative and open environment that enables meetings, synergies, and exploration of areas of mutual interest across disciplines.

Division
The group of Marco Gerling (PI) in the laboratory of Rune Toftgård (senior professor) performs preclinical research on tumor-microenvironment interactions in metastases of gastrointestinal cancers.

We use mouse models to genetically alter tumor stroma cells and work with organotypic ex vivo cultures of mouse and human tissue in combination with two-photon confocal imaging to study metastatic progression. To decipher tumor-stroma interactions, we apply single-cell sequencing of mouse and human metastases, which we validate with RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The group is embedded in an active network of clinicians, pathologists, and bioinformaticians, and durable collaborations to pursue multidisciplinary projects have been established.

Duties
We are looking for an ambitious postdoc with high intrinsic motivation to pursue an academic career.
As a postdoc in the group, you will mainly be working with functional validation of candidate signalling pathways that drive liver metastases of e.g. colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Liver metastases are the main cause of death for patients with these diseases, yet very little is known about the mode of metastatic spread and the role of cellular interactions for their progression. In your projects, you will study the effects of different signalling pathways that mediate cellular crosstalk e.g. between cancer cells and liver host cells.
You will participate in regular group meetings and you will present your results at national and international conferences. You are expected to actively develop and advance the project further and enrich the line of research with your own ideas. You will act as the practical supervisor for PhD students and Master students in the group, and you will directly work together with collaborators, including medical doctors and basic scientists.

Qualifications
The project is preclinical in nature and demands knowledge of both basic oncology and experimental laboratory techniques. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in the field of cancer research and has previous experience from preclinical projects, involving the handling of fresh human material and/or the use of laboratory mice. Experience with confocal microscopy is a merit, knowledge and practical experience with CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing is advantageous. Experience with single cell RNA sequencing analysis and programming skills (in e.g. R) are meritorious.
You are expected to be able to work independently, and to coordinate the research between pathologists and basic researchers, which requires excellent communicative skills. Proficiency of the English language is a must, and a proven track record of scientific writing (e.g. from published manuscripts) is expected.

Entry requirements
Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree 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.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Type of scholarship
The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

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.

Reference number STÖD 2-2984/2019
Contact
  • Marco Gerling, PI and Researcher, +46-76-416 74 35
  • Thomas Tinglöv, Head of Administration, +46-8-524 835 49
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, +46-8-524 840 80
  • Birgitta Lindqvist, OFR, +46-73-209 83 12
Published 23.May.2019
Last application date 13.Jun.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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