Postdoctoral researcher in mass cytometry and cellular immunology

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Prof.Petter Brodin’s Lab of Systems Immunology, SciLifeLab. Unit of Clinical Pediatrics, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, KI.

In the Brodinlab, the team uses state-of-the-art single cell technologies to study human systems immunology, of which mass cytometry being one of the most advanced cytometric platforms is used extensively in many different studies by the lab. Samples, mostly from blood or isolated PBMCs are multiplexed and stained using a unique liquid handling robotic platform, that stains cells with metal-tagged antibodies and acquire data using automated mass cytometers.

The Brodinlab is looking to hire a postdoc to be responsible for the processing of samples and acquisition of data by Mass cytometry. The work is hands-on in the laboratory and involves sample preparation, antibody coupling to rare-earth metal probes, reagent preparations and running of the liquid handling robotic platform for sample preparation and acquisition of samples by mass cytometry. This position is full time employment, 40h week.

Your mission

The Petter Brodin’s research group located at Science for Life Laboratory-Stockholm is a part of the Unit of Clinical Pediatrics, which is a broad, multi-disciplinary unit at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet. The group develops and applies experimental and computational research methods for systems-level analyses of the human immune system. The aim of the team is to understand immune systems’ variation in health and disease and the regulatory mechanisms underlying such variation and adaptation to environmental influences. Another important focus is the development of immune systems in early life. The group is half experimental and half computational, with an interdisciplinary environment.

Duties

The responsibilities of this candidate in the lab will mainly involve:

Mass cytometry specific tasks:

Conjugation of antibodies to metal isotopes that are used as probes in mass cytometry
Testing and titrating probes by mass cytometry (and validation by flow cytometry when needed)
Analyzing mass cytometry data by FlowJo, FCSExpress or similar
Meticulous and error free maintenance of antibody database/inventory in the lab on a continuous basis
Understanding the technology and operating the mass cytometer instruments by working closely with the person responsible for mass cytometry in the group
Learning to use the automated robotic platforms for various steps in mass cytometry experimentation and maintenance of the robotic set up for efficient and error free performance
Acquisition of samples, monitoring and attending to the machine when desired
Following the routines established in the lab for maintenance of the mass cytometers
Systematic recording of experiments and tasks performed

Other tasks in the lab: clinical sample reception, processing and recording the sample/subject metadata in the database, performing any other experimental research project-related tasks like setting up cell cultures, stimulations of cells, harvesting cells and so on.

Your profile

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.

The successful candidate should have some prior experience in mass cytometry experimentation and/or acquisition of samples, experience in analyzing ‘mass cytometry’ data by FlowJo or similar, sample barcoding and antibody staining procedures for mass cytometry, setting up cell cultures, blood sample handling, experience of method development with iterative testing of protocols and careful documentation, meticulous and systematic record maintenance. The successful candidate must be thriving in interdisciplinary environments and should be dedicated to performing the tasks assigned in the lab error free and with great care. The candidate must be comfortable to work both independently and in collaboration with the mass cytometry/cellular immunology team lead (by following specific instructions) and other members of the team (when necessary) and contribute to the team’s concerted efforts. The candidate must have good communication skills in English as the team is multicultural and interdisciplinary.

A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the following criteria:

1) Strictly documented experience in some of the aforementioned requirements without which we do not encourage the candidates to apply

2) Some understanding of both mass cytometry and flow cytometry technologies (prior knowledge of mass cytometry is a must)

3) A background in immunology research is much preferred.

4) Prior lab experience through documented publications and knowledge in biology and flow cytometry and/or mass cytometry.

5) Motivation letter showing specific interest expressed in the job described above as per the strict requirements

The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

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. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Solna, Scilife Lab

Application

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

A complete resumé, 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)

Welcome to apply at the latest December 17th 2021.

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

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