Karolinska Institutet, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Lennartsson (ALE)

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.

Description of project and work
This postdoc project is a collaborative project between Andreas Lennartsson’s research group at the department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet and Sören Lehmann’s group at the department of Medical Sciences at Uppsala University.

Andreas Lennartsson’s research group is interested in the epigenetic regulation of normal myelopoiesis and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (https://ki.se/en/bionut/epigenetic-regulation-of-acute-myeloid-leukemia-andreas-lennartsson). The aim is to identify key epigenetic factors that regulate enhancer activity and multi-potency in hematopoietic stem cells and dissect how they contribute to the development of leukemic stem cells.

The group of Sören Lehmann is a translational research group focusing on AML spanning from basic science to clinical trials and both clinicians and basic researchers are active in the group. The focus is on epigenetic dysregulation in AML with an important aim to develop new treatment strategies based on epigenetic dysregulation.

The Lehmann and Lennarssons’ groups are working very closely together creating an inspiring work environment containing complementary expertise.

The epigenetic machinery is often perturbed in AML and contributes to leukomogenesis via different mechanisms. Increased knowledge about the aberrant epigenetic machinery will help us to better understand the mechanisms that give rise to AML.  Our common research will potentially provide tools for novel therapies.

This specific project is specifically focused in depth epigenetic analysis of a large nationwide AML cohort. During several years we have collected fresh AML patient samples and processed them for ChIP-seq, RNA-seq and RRBS (for DNA methylation analysis) as well as DNA sequencing.  The project aims to characterize the epigenetic landscape in AML and correlate the specific epigenetic signatures with prognosis. This collaborative project offers unique possibilities to analyze a large AML patient cohort using novel state of the art methodologies. You will bridge the clinical and preclinical research at our institutes.

This position will be financed by a Postdoc scholarship paid out from KI.

Duties
Bioinformatics is central in our research and you will work close together with other postdocs and PhD students in both groups. You will be involved in planning experiments, final analysis and visualization of the results. You will have the possibility to participate national and international collaborations. You will analyze data from multiple technology platforms that are obtained using techniques such as Chromatin Immune Precipitation (ChIP)-sequencing, RNA-seq/CAGE, RRBS and Whole Genome Bisulphite sequencing.  

This position provides opportunity for growth and development as an independent investigator, as there will be possibilities for initiating new research directions.

Qualifications
The applicant should hold a PhD from a related area, with experience in bioinformatic analysis of genome-wide data and have good understanding of statistics. Prior experience in hematology and cell biology is advantageous. Candidates should be able to interact and work efficiently in a team. Good knowledge of both spoken and written English is required.

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.

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
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. 

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:

  1. A letter of motivation
  2. Curriculum vitae and qualifications
  3. A complete list of publications
  4. Names and contact information (email) for two references.

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

Reference number 2-5418/2018
Contact
  • Andreas Lennartsson, PhD. Group leader, +46-736128862
  • Sören Lehmann, MD, PhD , Professor, +46-707604882
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, +46-8-524 840 80
  • Birgitta Lindqvist, OFR, +46-8-524 810 35
Published 11.Oct.2018
Last application date 01.Nov.2018 11:59 PM CET

Return to job vacancies