Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

The COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed the society and inflicted enormous social and economic damage to societies over the world. The current situation is a harsh reminder of the potential danger of zoonotic crossovers of coronaviruses and stresses the importance of an adequate first line of defense against coronaviruses. Antivirals have been shown to be powerful tools to limit the damage caused by pathogenic viruses. Do you want to take the challenge and engage in our academic effort to develop innovative antivirals that target SARS-CoV-2? The groups of Prof. Nico Dantuma and Prof. Maria Masucci at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, have a long-standing interest in human and viral proteases and are currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher with an interest in understanding and targeting PLpro protease of SARS-CoV-2.

Your mission

The postdoctoral researcher will develop biochemical and (non-infectious) cell-based assays to detect PLpro activity in a format that will allow high-throughput and high-content drug screening. In collaboration with groups at SciLifeLab and supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) foundation, these assays will play a pivotal role in the development of innovative compounds that block PLpro activity. These assays and tools will also be used to better understand the importance of PLpro for viral virulence, in particular its role as a ubiquitin and ISG15 deconjugase.

Your profile

The successful candidate has a PhD and a strong background in cell biology. Candidates with experience in ubiquitin biology and/or viral proteases are in particular encouraged to apply. The applicant will also benefit from a broad expertise in molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and recombinant protein production and purification. Previous postdoctoral research experience is a plus. Excellent spoken and written English language, good communication skills, and ability to work in a team are required.

What do we offer?

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden.

The Dantuma and Masucci laboratories offer an inspiring environment for your research. Our research is driven by curiosity and focuses on different aspects of human and viral proteases, including various projects dealing with viral immune evasion as well as the role of human proteases in cancer and neurodegeneration. The groups are located in the new Biomedicum building housing over 1000 researchers belonging to five departments of the Karolinska Institutet and state-of-the-art core facilities. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with partners at the SciLifeLab branches in Stockholm and Uppsala providing ample of experience in drug development from academia and the industry.

Location: Stockholm

Type of employment: One year with possibility for an extension.

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents Swedish or English:

  • A brief letter explaining your interest in the position and background experience that makes you suitable for the position. Indicate a potential starting date.
  • A complete CV, including publications.
  • Names and contacts of three referees

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

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-1830/2021
Contact
  • Nico Dantuma, professor, nico.dantuma@ki.se
  • Maria Masucci, professor, maria.masucci@ki.se
Union representative
  • Elisabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, 08-524 863 53
  • Magnus Anå, OFR, 08-524 864 37, magnus.ana@ki.se
  • Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, 08-524 835 29
Published 14.Apr.2021
Last application date 05.May.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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