Senior Research Specialist in neurodegenerative disease mechanisms with focus on Alzheimer disease therapy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

This position will be located at the KI Campus Solna in BioClinicum, and is planned to be placed within the group of Assoc Professor Lars Tjernberg in collaboration with Professor Bengt Winblad. The ultimate goal of this research group is to understand the pathological pathways leading to Alzheimer disease. To this end, by analyzing Alzheimer-related cell biological pathways in primary neurons by using confocal and super-resolution microscopy, and other relevant cell biological and biochemical approaches.

Description of the subject area

Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative diseases are associated with aggregation of certain proteins such as beta-amyloid and tau. The project aims to explore novel therapeutic concepts for Alzheimer disease (AD) based on identification of molecule inhibitors.

Your mission

The position involves analysis of potential drugs that target processes relevant for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the function of regulatory components and potential drugs will be assessed in cell lines and mouse models, which are related to AD. This project involves studies of biological effects using human cells and AD-related mouse models. We now want to take our research one step further using the advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to facilitate the identification and optimization of new drug candidates.

This project focuses on amyloid and tau aggregation by development of small molecule inhibitors, targeting intracellular interactions. We combine structural biology techniques such as computer aided drug design, biochemical and biophysical methods to develop potential drug candidates for AD. We investigate biological effects of these molecules and validate them in proof-of-concept experiments. The duties include in silico drug design using virtual screening, hit-to-lead compound development, lead optimization using e.g. x-ray crystallography, implementation of biochemical assays for compound screening, target characterization in vitro in cell models and in vivo in various AD-related mice models.

We are looking for an experienced researcher to run this project. You are expected to attract your own future funding and establish your own research group.

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, the applicant must have demonstrated good level of research expertise with significant scientific production. The applicant must also have demonstrated a good scientific independence to which their own contribution has been significant and a research plan of high quality with clear potential for the future.

You are expected to have a strong drive to pursue experimental research and an ambitious and innovative attitude. You should also have experience from the described techniques above. The project is pursued in collaboration with other researchers, why documented good collaborative skills are necessary. Good ability to speak and write English is a requirement.

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.

The criteria listed will form part of the overall assessment of the applicant’s eligibility. All criteria will be assessed but they should not individually be seen as requirements.

• 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.
• Research grants received in regional, national and international competition.
• National and international research collaborations.
• 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.

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.

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. Here, 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

Your career continues here

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 June 22nd 2023.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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