Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine, Solna, Rheumatology division

The Department of Medicine, Solna, is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet. The department consists of several divisions that are separated into different research groups. The core activities of the department are research, doctoral education and undergraduate education for medical and biomedical students. The research has three main profiles: allergy, cardiovascular medicine and inflammatory diseases.

Division
Research at the division of Rheumatology is truly translational with excellent access to patient material and active clinicians, biologists and epidemiologists. The research spans a wide range of subjects, covering areas as diverse as clinical rheumatology, antibody biology, basic T cell biology, inflammatory mechanisms and more.
The postdoctoral studies will be performed jointly in the labs of Associate professor and clinical dermatologist Liv Eidsmo, and Assistant Professor Carmen Gerlach (www.gerlachlab.com).
Research in the Eidsmo lab focus on the role for resident T cells during homeostasis and immunopathology in the human skin. We have recently defined functional subsets of resident T cells and how these cells interact within the natural microenvironment during the inflammatory skin diseases psoriasis and vitiligo. Currently, the lab heads a mechanistic study of a global clinical trial, investigating if resident T cells can act as biomarkers of remission of psoriasis.
Research in the Gerlach lab is directed at understanding basic cellular and molecular principles governing T cell responses to acute infections and cancer. We strive to understand mechanisms underlying the generation, maintenance and consequences of the heterogeneity within the T cell immune response, with a special focus on CD8 T cells.
The two labs are collaborating closely, hold joint labmeetings and journal clubs, and are physically located in close proximity to each other at the Center for Molecular Medicine, CMM at the Solna Campus of the Karolinska University Hospital. CMM has computational infrastructure, and provides a local bioinformatics hub/network where bioinformaticians from all research groups within CMM can exchange ideas and expertise.

Duties
The postdoc will be collaborating with wet-lab scientists in both labs. The postdoc is expected to plan, execute and interpret bioinformatic analyses of primarily single-cell RNA sequencing data obtained from T cell receptor and mRNA sequences through Illumina sequencing of libraries obtained through the 10x Genomics workflow. In addition, the postdoc is expected to perform bioinformatic analyses of other datasets available in the labs. There will also be possibilities to analyze epigenetic data, primarily obtained using the ATAC-Seq platform. The postdoc is expected to carefully document the analyses, and to communicate the results within and outside of the research group. The postdoc is expected to work both independently, and as a collaborative and helpful team member. The duties furthermore include actively taking part in research meetings, contributing to the well-functioning of the local research environment, and assisting/training/supervising other lab members in minor computational analyses.

Entry requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated, ambitious and talented person with excellent theoretical background and practical experience in bioinformatics, and genuine interest in T cell immunology. Prior experience in working with 10x-based sequencing datasets, ideally including feature barcoding will be highly valued. Excellent communication skills that allow for productive interactions with biologists lacking bioinformatics background will be key. This includes the willingness and ability to explain, justify and discuss analyses/model choices with other lab members and supervisors. The position requires dedication to the project, a high level of accuracy and attention to detail, and a strong desire to excel. A personal fit into the team will be of importance. A proactive and problem-solving attitude will be valued highly. Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English are required. The candidate should hold a doctoral degree upon the start of this position.
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 2-4323/2019
Contact
  • Niklas Andersson, 08-524 874 19
  • Biborka Bereczky-Veress, +46 (0)8 - 524 800 00
Published 27.Aug.2019
Last application date 24.Sep.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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