Research specialist in leukemia microenvironment

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The selected candidate will be working and trained in Hong Qian’s group at the Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), Department of Medicine Huddinge, Flemingsberg Campus.

Hong Qian’s group aims to unravel the role of the hematopoietic niche, including mesenchymal stem cells, in myeloid leukemia. The ultimate goal is to identify new niche-based therapeutic targets for better treatment outcomes of the diseases. The group has so far mainly focused on the mesenchymal niche in myeloid leukemia in patients and mouse models. The group has identified a set of molecules that are dysregulated in the leukemia niche. Among them, we have shown that Lama4, a receptor-binding chain of extracellular matrix protein laminin isoforms, inhibits acute myeloid leukemia progression and relapse (Cai, et al., Blood, 2022) and that CXCL14, a chemokine, suppresses the survival of chronic myeloid leukemia-initiating stem cells (Dolinska, Cai, Månsson et al., Blood 2023).

Your Role

The main duties of the research specialist are to carry out projects focusing on functional evaluation of various niche factors in the survival of leukemic stem cells by in vitro co-culture and in vivo transplantation using mouse models, flow cytometry, PCR, gene sequencing, and confocal imaging. The research specialist will be responsible for planning, performing, analyzing and documenting the experiments within the projects, under supervision of the group leader or group members.

Who Are You?

The successful candidate will conduct the research with a special focus on deciphering molecular pathways mediating leukemic stem cell interaction with their niche under the supervision of the group leader (Dr. Hong Qian). In addition, the candidate is also expected to participate in collaborative projects.

We are looking for someone with research and lab experience in the field of blood diseases and mesenchymal stromal cells. The candidate should be self-motivated, with a strong research interest, and able to work both independently and as a good team player with excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written. Experience of working/training in international research laboratories and scientific publications is appreciated.

It is considered a merit if the applicant has experience in multi-color flow cytometry, confocal imaging and mouse models.

Assessment criteria

Essential Requirements

• At least a PhD degree in molecular and cell biology or biochemistry or biomedicine or medicine.
• Good proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Strong organizational skills and detail-oriented.
• Experience in flow cytometry and confocal imaging
• Experience in cell culture, particularly co-culture with mesenchymal stem cells.

Desired Requirements

• Experience in leukemia niche.
• Experience in drug testing.
• Experience with mouse work.

Personal suitability will be a strong selection criterion.

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: Flemingsberg

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.

Welcome to apply at the latest 18 November, 2024.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Position duration: 6-month trial period followed by long-term employment.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all