Postdoctoral position: in vivo drug discovery for beta-cell regeneration - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The research group

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 metabolism. CMB is located in Biomedicum, a new 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 allow expensive equipment to be shared and used more effectively.

The main interest in the lab of Olov Andersson is to study how small molecules can promote regeneration of insulin-producing beta-cells and improve metabolic control, as future curative approaches for diabetes. In an ERC-funded lab the successful applicant will use chemical-genetic screening techniques in zebrafish to identify compounds, genes and signalling pathways that can promote β-cell regeneration.

Visit the lab’s website:

https://ki.se/en/cmb/olov-anderssons-group

For examples of how the research can be conducted, please see:

Charbord et al., Nature Metabolism:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-021-00391-x?proof=t

Karampelias et al., Nature Communications:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23673-0

Liu et al., eLife:

https://elifesciences.org/articles/65758

Your mission

The present project will span from pharmacology to genetics in zebrafish, as well as translational studies in the mouse and human cell cultures. The studies will include assessing beta-cell neogenesis, proliferation and transdifferentiation, and how such cellular changes affect glycemia.

The zebrafish are amenable to efficient transgenesis and high-resolution imaging. We will make use of these properties to generate transgenic, knock-in and mutant zebrafish for single-cell analysis of phenotypes and lineage tracing. The successful applicant will have a strong background in cell and molecular biology or biochemistry, and keen interest in using model organisms to study beta-cell regeneration and metabolism.

Funding for the position is available for an initial period of two years.

Your profile

We are looking for independent and driven candidates who have at least one first-name publication in a peer-reviewed journal. A documented ability to independently carry out experimental research projects is required, as are good communication skills in spoken and written English.

The successful applicants may have experience in one or several of the following techniques/models:

1. Molecular, cellular and biochemical techniques, e.g. cloning, qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry
2. Drug screening
3. Bioinformatics
4. Metabolism/diabetes research in mouse models
5. Organoid cultures
6. Zebrafish as a model system (note, not necessary)

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier. 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.

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: Stockholm

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)

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