Postdoctoral studies in mechanistic ALS studies (scholarship)

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The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a department with a strong focus on basic science. CMB conducts research and education in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cancer, and infection biology. CMB is located in Biomedicum, a top modern interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna under one roof to promote collaboration. Biomedicum houses approximately 1,200 researchers and other personnel and allows expensive equipment to be shared and utilized more effectively.

The research team

A postdoctoral scholarship is available in the lab of Eva Hedlund at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet. The Hedlund lab is also located at Stockholm University at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and the majority of the experiments will be conducted there.

The Hedlund laboratory is aimed at elucidating mechanisms of neuronal vulnerability and resistance with the goal of identifying new molecular targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, with emphasis on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We are particularly interested in understanding how different neurons modulate their epigenome, transcriptome, and proteome in response to disease-inducing mutations that will lead to the demise of some neurons while others will remain apparently unharmed. We are also interested in how RNAs/proteins are redistributed into condensates in somas and axons with disease and investigating potential disease spread across cell types. In our work we use a wide range of techniques including genome editing of induced pluripotent stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9, in vitro organoid formation, microfluidics, single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), single nuclei RNA seq (snRNAseq), proteomics, and gene therapy. Research projects in the Hedlund lab are supported by several funding bodies such as e.g., the The Swedish Research Council, The Swedish Brain Foundation, The Radala Foundation, The Olav Thon Foundation and the Swedish Parkinson Foundation

Duties

The postdoctoral fellow will perform studies on human induced pluripotent stem cells and their ectodermal and mesodermal derivatives followed by ALS disease modelling. The project also involves live cell imaging to study intracellular dynamic processes, proteomics, epigenomics, single cell transcriptomics and bioinformatics. The successful candidate will be part of a highly interactive multinational and multidisciplinary team covering expertise in stem cell biology, RNA biology, developmental biology, neurodegenerative diseases, and their modelling using stem cells, skeletal muscle physiology and disease, RNA sequencing technologies, and bioinformatics including machine learning.

Entry requirements

We are seeking an ambitious postdoctoral fellow with great team working and communication skills, who has a background in either developmental biology, stem cell biology, and/or neurodegenerative diseases. Experience with stem cells, organoid culture, live cell imaging (FRAP analysis), advanced microscopy skills, and/or single cell sequencing technologies and bioinformatics analysis are an advantage, as are a profound interest in understanding disease mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.

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. 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) start date of the post doctoral education.

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

Location: Stockholm

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)
A personal letter (1 page) clearly stating why you are interested in joining the Hedlund lab and how your skill would benefit the lab.

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

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