Postdoctoral Researcher in Understanding functional RNA delivery using exosomes and LNPs

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions in which both research and teaching are carried out. The Department is involved in advanced research in both basic and applied research.

The Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM) carries out activities focusing on the use of modified biomolecules, cells and cellular products as novel therapeutic agents and the identification and study of suitable biomolecular and cellular targets for therapy and diagnosis. We are currently looking for a postdoctoral fellow to join the EL Andaloussi research group. The main focus of the research group is to work on the delivery of macromolecules to target cells in vivo. Our research aims to develop new and innovative nanoparticles that can transport proteins, RNAs or gene therapies to the target tissues in a safe and efficient way. A major focus area is to genetically engineer the body's own nano-delivery systems, extracellular veins (EVs), for targeted delivery of RNA and protein therapies in disease-relevant cellular and animal models. Our research platform thus offers a unique opportunity to discover, manufacture and deliver advanced therapies.

The position is fixed-term for 2 years.

Your mission

As a postdoctoral researcher you will work on the development of bioengineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) and test novel LNPs to improve the delivery of oligonucleotides and therapeutic mRNAs. Most of the research will be conducted using cell lines and animal models.

Common tasks include;

Cloning
Formulation of nanoparticles
Cell culture
Intravenous and ICV injections in mice
Organ harvest with analysis of mRNA and protein
EV isolation and characterisation
Microscopy
Flow cytometry

The first part of the work involves developing stable cell lines for the production of EVs engineered to carry reporter proteins. Uptake of such EVs produced from different cells will then be evaluated in different recipient cells. The best EV source will then be genetically modified to contain mRNAs or short RNAs and tested for functional delivery in relevant reporter cell lines (the reporter cell lines are already established in the lab). The best candidate constructs will later be developed to target disease-relevant targets first in vitro and later in vivo. In parallel, established and novel LNPs will be tested for their ability to deliver shorter oligos and therapeutic mRNAs in vitro and in vivo.

Your profile

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.

In addition, you should have a background in basic biology and/or pharmaceutical sciences. The position requires hands-on lab experience and you must have a solid knowledge of the following areas; molecular cloning, formulation of nanoparticles, production and purification of various EVs. As the work will be highly innovative, extensive knowledge of molecular biology techniques, cell culture, the process of making stable cells via lentiviral transduction or transposon transfections, and experience formulating synthetic nanoparticles such as LNPs is required.
Excellent knowledge of Swedish and English is required. Possession of a FELASA rodent license and experience in experimental work with rodents is also required.

As a person, we would like to see that you are energetic and passionate. You enjoy being part of a team and actively contribute to the team. In this recruitment process, we place great importance on personal characteristics.

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. 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. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Flemingsberg

Read about Research Group Samir EL Andaloussi

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 16 September.

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