Postdoctoral Researcher in mikroRNA biology

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 infection biology. 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 allows expensive equipment to be shared and utilized more effectively.

Division

MicroRNAs (miRs) fine-tune mRNA stability and translation, acting as molecular dials during development and in cancer. Despite their crucial function, little is known of how microRNAs discriminate between different bona fide targets. In this project, funded by a Knut and Alice Wallenberg project grant, we have assembled an international team of bioinformaticians, structural biologists and physical chemists to elucidate how miRs chose the targets and determine their fate. We are now searching for a postdoctoral candidate to join the Andersson lab (www.anderssonlab.com), with experience in wet-lab work, working with microRNAs to validate and test real-world targeting. Together with Katja Petzold’s group (www.petzoldlab.com), the group investigates the roll of sequence and structure of microRNAs in controlling their mRNA “targetome”, in development of the embryo.

For more info, see also:(kaw.wallenberg.org/sma-molekyler-styr-hjarnans-utveckling-och-cancer) (website in Swedish).

The postdoctoral researcher will belong to the department Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB), and close collaboration with the Petzold lab in the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics will be facilitated.

Your mission

The postdoctoral project entails studying targeting of an array of mRNAs by a microRNA, using qPCR, luciferase assays, immunoblotting, single cell transcriptomics and single cell proteomics. In the project high resolution methods such as icSHAPE-MaP (in cell selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension and mutational profiling) and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) will be used to study the mRNA and microRNA structure. Close collaboration with bioinformaticians, structural biologists and physical chemists will aim to elucidate a structure-function code. Studies will be performed in vitro (in cell lines and primary cell cultures) and in vivo (in mouse embryos).

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. 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.

We are looking for a curious, driven and creative person with an interest in microRNAs, embryonic development and disease. An ability to take initiative and good communication skills are a merit. The candidate must have experience in wet-lab work, handling mice (FELASA), and working with microRNAs to validate and test real-world targeting.

Position-specific requirements are:

A PhD degree in microRNA biology or similar field
A track record of publications in RNA biology, structural biology, biochemistry fields
A strong background in microRNA biology, including detection and quantification of microRNAs, quantification of mRNA target abundance, luciferase assays for determination of seed sequence specificity, or IP of for example Argonaut for microRNA loading, immunoblotting for target downregulation assessment
Expertise in RNA secondary structure probing and analysis
Strong background in cloning, plasmid production, cell culture, transfection methods
Experience in library preparation for RNAseq
Background in histology, IF, IHC, confocal microscopy and image analysis
Certificate of laboratory animal handling (FELASA or equal), experience in laboratory animal work, specifically mice
Experience working with mouse embryos
Excellent written and oral communication in English

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: Solna

Application

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

CV max. max 3 pages, including date of the thesis defense, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work.
A letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
A summary of current work (max. 1 page).
Verification from the thesis defense committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defense is scheduled within three months after the application deadline)
Copies of degree certificate and associated certificates.
Complete publication list with links to degree project and any previous publications
Contact information of two references, recommendation letters are also welcome.

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

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