Assistant professor in Cancer Metabolism - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Division
The Nilsson research group is part of the Cardiovascular Medicine Unit at the Department of Medicine (Solna) at Karolinska Institutet, and is located at the Bioclinicum research facility. The group studies cellular metabolism, with a particular focus on cancer metabolism. Our work comprises both experimental work using cell models and computational techniques for analyzing large data sets such as mass spectrometry, microarray and sequencing data, with applications in metabolism. The research group hosts a unique combination of skills in cell biology, particularly in metabolism, and data science.

Duties
Our group has recently made advances in the study of methionine metabolism in cancer, and this position is intended to continue our work in this area, particularly regarding molecular mechanisms of methionine dependency in cancer cells. The employee will work experimentally with cell and molecular biology techniques for studying methionine dependency in cancer cells, including cell culture, analysis of RNA, proteins  and protein interactions, viral transfection of cells for sRNA knockdown and cDNA expression, and also stable isotope tracing experiments and subsequent analysis of mass spectrometry (LCMS) data. Among the duties are planning, executing and documenting experiments; coordinating relevant collaborations within and outside the research group; staying up to date with the scientific literature within this research area; producing reports and presentations on the research results obtained; and participating in authoring scientific articles on the subject. The employment as Assistant Professor is focused towards research, and is time limited for 4 years with the right to apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

Eligibility requirements
The employee must have deep knowledge in cell and molecular biology, especially concerning cellular metabolism, and documented experience in experimental research in cell and molecular biology, with excellent ability to plan and execute experiments. Of particular importance is experience with protein chemistry, including gel electrophoresis and western blotting, protein pulldown by antibodies for the study of protein interactions, and preparation of samples for proteomics analysis; experience with methods for studying cellular metabolism and metabolic enzymes, including biochemical assays of metabolite concentrations and of enzyme activity, stable isotope tracing in cell culture, and extraction of metabolites for mass spectrometry metabolomics; experience with lentiviral transfection of cells for shRNA knockdown and cDNA expression. The employee should also be well acquainted with the scientific literature on the subject, with the ability to independently analyze obtained results in the context of current knowledge, and fluently communicate in written and spoken English. Knowledge of one-carbon metabolism and in particularly methionine metabolism, as well as cancer biology in general, is an advantage. Knowledge about mass spectrometry and principles for analyzing isotope tracing data is an advantage. A sincere  interest in and certain knowledge of drug development is an advantage, as the long term goal is to take advantage of discovered mechanisms in methionine metabolism in the development of new cancer pharmaceuticals.

Those eligible for employment as an Assistant Professor are individuals who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than five years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position of assistant professor.

Those who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence earlier may however be considered if special grounds exist. Special grounds refer to illness or parental leave.

Bases of assessment
Bases of assessment include quality and relevance of the applicant’s scientific results and publications; ability to meticulously and efficiently carry out experiments and achieve reproducible results; knowledge about cellular metabolism, in particular cancer metabolism and the metabolism of methionine, and knowledge of relevant experimental techniques .

Scientific expertise will be most important when assessing applicants.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in Swedish/ English: curriculum vitae, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio).

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer

See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet chapter 3.3

An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer. An application is submitted to the Recruitment Committee. In order to be promoted to Senior Lecturer after an assessment by the Recruitment Committee, the applicant must meet the criteria below. The Assistant Professor can choose between two different promotion tracks; promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research or promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research.

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research

Assessment criteria

1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior lecturer with focus on research”.
2. Grants obtained as principal applicant in national or international competition that covers the applicant’s own salary for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor. Project funding obtained in national or international competition (i.e. excellence grants obtained from the Swedish Research Council, European Research Council (ERC), Wallenberg Foundation (WAF) or Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) that covers costs for salaries, rent, materials and other project-related expenses for the research for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor.
3. First and/or senior author of a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles published in leading international scientific journals over a number of years after dissertation, with the emphasis on the qualification period as an Assistant Professor.
4. An independent research line deemed by independent experts and departmental management to offer excellent future potential for both the individual researcher and the department in question.
5. A documented good ability to lead the own research group – including staff responsibility and supervision of doctoral and/or postdoctoral students. Scientific expertise is emphasized when assessing applicants including successful scientific results in a good working climate, as well as documented collaborative abilities.
6. All experience of undertaking assignments on behalf of the scientific community – such as board membership, internal assessment committees, departmental duties, organising courses and conferences and editorships – will be considered as merits.

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research

Assessment criteria

1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research”.
2. Higher education training of 10 weeks or equivalent competence in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
3. Independent responsibility for planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and examination at all levels, first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) -cycle study programmes and courses – to a significant extent and over a period of at least three years with documented high level of quality.
4. Pedagogical management assignments as course director at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle level.
5. Extensive pedagogical experience of various forms of teaching and for various groups at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle levels.
6. Completed, nationally and internationally presented pedagogical development work resulting in improved study programmes and/or courses.
7. A clear plan for the own pedagogical activities (including pedagogical development work) that demonstrates a high level of quality and great potential.

If the applicant is deemed to fulfil all of the above criteria, they will be assessed by two experts in their field and must meet the eligibility requirements that apply to appointments as a Senior Lecturer at Karolinska Institutet.