Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Neuropharmacology

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Department of Clinical Neuroscience (CNS) conducts research and education in the field of neuroscience from the molecular level to the society level. Particularly, major depression is one of the most frequent disorders of the brain and many patients do not respond to treatment, such that there is a pressing need for new drugs with fewer side effects and enhanced efficacy. To develop such drugs, a more complete understanding of signaling in mood disorders is necessary. Towards this end, the Translational Neuropharmacology laboratory uses molecular, cellular and animal models in which the function of glutamate and serotonergic receptors are studied. Thanks to the breadth of methodological approaches, the laboratory is capable of translating results from molecular and cellular assays into the preclinical stage.

Your mission

Over the course of the postdoctoral appointment, the development of various behavioral, molecular, and morphological analyses to evaluate the role of receptor-driven signaling and brain circuitries on the effects of fast-acting antidepressants (ketamine) and pro-resilience pharmacological strategies will be one important focus of the project. Successful applicants will generate data that guide the development of novel pharmacological approaches (rapid-onset and pro-resilience strategies) to be tested in animal models of stress and depressive-like behavior. Independence and strong motivation are expected throughout the project.

The candidate will be encouraged to serve as mentor for exam students and co-mentor for Ph.D. students, thus building their experience for future leadership.

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.

Applicants should have an academic degree in Biological Sciences (Molecular Biology or Human Biology) and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Applicants must have a strong background in the mechanisms underpinning the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders (particularly depression) and fast-acting antidepressant agents, such as ketamine. Furthermore, applicants must also have experience in the molecular targets underlying the mechanisms of stress-coping behaviors (resilience and vulnerability) as well as resilience-enhancing pharmacological approaches.

Of note, a strong background in behavioral paradigms, animal models of stress and depression, and extensive experience with methods of molecular and cellular neuroscience is required. In addition, candidates must demonstrate a solid knowledge of neuroscience and pharmacology in theory and practice. Ideal applicants will have spent part of their education in a foreign country, bringing international experience and a strong team spirit to the laboratory. Excellent command of the English language is highly preferred.

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)

Welcome to apply at the latest 6 April 2023

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

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