Postdoctoral Researcher in host-pathogen interactions - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research in infection biology and microbiology?

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet in Solna conducts research and education in immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. Our keywords are interdisciplinary, clinically based basic research and national and international cooperation.

The research group

We search for a postdoctoral researcher that together with Professor Birgitta Henriques Normark, her research group and her collaborators will work on projects in bacteriology and respiratory tract infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global health threats. Lower respiratory tract infections are a major cause of death globally. Pneumococci are a major contributor to both morbidity and mortality and being the most common causes of milder respiratory tract infections such as otitis media and sinusitis as well as of severe diseases such as pneumonia, septicemia and meningitis. However, pneumococci are also common colonizers of the upper respiratory tract of healthy children. It is still not totally clear what determines whether the bacteria will cause a disease or just stay colonizing healthy individuals. The research group focuses on host-microbe interactions with a major interest in pneumococcal infections.

Your mission

This position includes studies of bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions and co-infections between viruses such as influenza virus and bacteria with a focus on pneumococcal infections, using in vitro cell models and in vivo models. Bacterial persistence and the importance of underlying conditions for pneumococcal disease outcome will be studied.  Also, the candidate will be involved in in vivo studies of nanoparticles.

Your profile

A PhD in bacteriology especially on pneumococcal infections and co-infectious with influenza virus, will give priority. Previous experience in bacteriology especially on pneumococcal infections, immunology, and molecular microbiology is an advantage. Documented experience in relevant research areas will be prioritized, especially previous experiences of molecular techniques, and in vitro and especially in vivo model systems of co-infections. Experience with international collaborations, as well as experience in project management are of advantage in addition to social skills, creative thinking, and language skills, especially in English and Swedish. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams are essential.

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.

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:

• 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.

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