Senior Research Specialist in regenerative research - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. Applications are invited for a senior research specialist in Professor Katarina Le Blanc’s research group. The lab’s research focus is on the anti-inflammatory properties of mesenchymal cells and their therapeutic potential. We provide a stimulating and scientifically rigorous translational environment for scientific growth. Our research is published in reputed scientific journals. The Le Blanc lab is part of a vibrant research community at ANA Futura, Karolinska Institutet, Flemingsberg.

Description of the subject area

Twenty years have passed since our group demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness of MSC adoptive transfer to treat immune-mediated disorders. We have longstanding experience in development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) and translational research. Resent research suggests that in vivo, MSCs are sensors of damage signals, residing in a perivascular location with protrusions into tissue. At steady state, MSCs provide direct trophic support to tissues but the cells are also prominent modulators of inflammation and immune responses.

Your mission

As a senior research specialist, you will manage a team currently consisting of two post docs and a lab manager. You will encourage the growth of our research projects and foster the post docs into independent researchers. You will thereby provide a solid scientific base for the team alongside the group leader. Your scientific work will include further optimization of MSC as an ATMP, the development of potency and clinical efficacy assays. In other work, focus will lie in understanding the contribution of perivascular mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells to inflammation. You will teach relevant scientific methods to the team and your own experimental focus will be on flow cytometry.We offer a multi-disciplinary team environment which is stimulating but also require excellent communications skills. It is expected that the Senior research scientist will supervise post docs and other researchers, and share information and knowledge to allow for more junior team members to grow in the professional role.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for employment as a Senior Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having equivalent scientific expertise, you must have demonstrated good scientific ability with a significant scientific output. Applicants must also have demonstrated good scientific autonomy with significant personal contributions and a research plan of good quality with clear future potential. The skills required include mesenchymal stromal cell and immune cell biology, tumour cell biology and an in-depth understanding of flow cytometry and experience in ATMP production of both mesenchymal cells and immune cells.The applicant must have demonstrated good research expertise with significant scientific output. The applicant must also have demonstrated a high level of scientific independence to which his/her own contribution has been significant.

Assessment criteria

For employment as Senior Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria stated in the Rules regarding other positions than teaching positions are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

• Scientific original publications, their quality and quantity, with special consideration on publications after the doctoral education
• Scientific independent ability demonstrated through leading and senior authorships
• Review articles and other scientific publications
• Presentations and scientific assignments at international congresses
• Research grants received in regional, national and international competition
• National and international research collaborations
• Research responsibility as supervisor for degree project on advanced level, doctoral student and postdoc
• Reviewer and evaluator of the scientific work of others
• Research experience from a research group other than where the doctoral education was conducted
• Development of one's own research profile within the subject area
• Plan for future research based on current science

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Published peer-reviewed scientific papers as senior author
•  Approved laboratory animal science for Project Director (FELASSA B)
• Experienced in leading academic courses at PhD level
• Fluency in English
• Excellent skills in written English 

As a person we want the candidate to be self-motivated, have good communications skills and a proven ability to interact effectively and work productively in an interdisciplinary team.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI. In this recruitment, we place great importance to personal qualities.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. 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. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles to several benefits such as extended holiday and generous occupational pension. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Flemingsberg

Read about The Department of Laboratory Medicine

Read about Katarina Le Blanc research group 

Application

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

The applications will be reviewed by external reviewers.

Welcome to apply at the latest 28 July.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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