Postdoctoral Position in Computational Biology of Parkinson’s Disease at the single-cell level

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

We invite applications for a postdoctoral position (2+2 years) in the laboratory of Professor Ernest Arenas: http://ernestarenaslab.org/. The laboratory is part of the Division of Molecular Neurobiology, a cluster of 8 research groups forming a dynamic and collaborative research environment within the MBB department, at the Karolinska Institute https://ki.se/en/mbb/research-division-of-molecular-neurobiology.

Our laboratory is located in Biomedicum, one of the largest and most modern research centers in Northern Europe, within a world leading University, Karolinska Institutet. We provide modern technological platforms and facilities. We offer an interactive, multidisciplinary and international research environment, where you can perform cutting edge science that makes a difference, address fundamental questions, and contribute to the development of novel therapies to combat neurodegeneration.

Your mission

We are looking for a creative computational biologist seeking to study neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease at the single cell level. The project involves analysis of single cell RNA-seq, multiome and in situ sequencing data generated from different brain regions of control and Parkinson’s disease patients.

You will use your experience in performing bioinformatics analyses of sequencing data, to analyze and integrate transcriptomics and epigenomics data. You will have your own project, and you will be encouraged to address challenging questions, think independently and develop high impact research. You will interact and collaborate with other lab members working in the dry and the wet lab. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to supervise students and to achieve personal development.

The project is partially supported by an ERC Advanced Grant (PreciseCell PD, 2021-2026) and by a Collaborative Research Network (CRN) program of the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative implemented through The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which aims at understanding the cause and molecular mechanisms underlying PD. This project is part of the long-term efforts of the lab aiming at identifying the cellular and molecular diversity of the nervous system (La Manno et al., 2016, Cell), at understanding cell-to-cell interactions (Toledo et al., BioRxiv doi: 10.1101/155846) and at deciphering the cause and mechanisms of PD (Bryois et al., 2020 Nature Genetics).

Your profile

The successful candidates should have (or be close to completing) a PhD in Genetics, Biochemistry, Systems Biology, Computational Biology, Biology, Neuroscience, Medicine or a related field. The applicants should be familiar with sequencing data (analysis and integration), and be comfortable analyzing large-scale datasets. Applicants interested in any of the above research areas and/or interested in developing a novel research direction will be considered.

The ideal candidate should have demonstrated skills in computational biology, with experience in one or more of the following: scripting (e.g. Python, R), basic knowledge of LINUX/UNIX command line and terminal, and analysis of sequencing data. Experience in single cell data analysis, gene regulatory networks, genomics (transcriptomics and/or epigenomics), and machine learning or neural networks would be a plus. Wet lab experience in single cell genomics or FACS, or knowledge of development, neuroscience or nerodegeneration will be considered as additional merits, but are not necessary.

You are expected to be able to work independently, to have your own project and to interact with other researchers in the dry or wet-labs, and to have a good command of written and spoken English.

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?

We offer a 2+2 years full time (100%) postdoctoral position with possible start as soon as September 2022. Our laboratory and our unit offer an inspiring, creative, interactive and international research environment, where you can develop your career and enjoy top academic science.

The project offers excellent training opportunities, an outstanding research network and opportunities to interact and collaborate with world leading laboratories and researchers around the world working in the area of computational biology and PD.

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 a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna, Biomedicum

Application

Your application must contain the following documents in English:

A complete curriculum vitae, 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).
A letter of motivation (no more than one page)
Three references or reference letters
Verification from the thesis defence committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defence is scheduled within three months after the application deadline).

In assessing candidates we will place our emphasis on the personal trajectory, education, technical skills, CV, merits and previous experience.

You are welcome to apply at the latest by the 2nd of September 2022

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