Research Specialist in Bacteriology and vaccines

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

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 research specialist that together with Professor Birgitta Henriques Normark, her research group and her collaborators will work on projects in bacteriology and respiratory tract infections to develop vaccines.

Description of the subject area

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global health threats. Respiratory tract infections are major causes of morbidity and 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. Group A streptococci are major causes of milder respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis, as well as skin infections, but also to more severe diseases such as septicemia, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome. There is also a risk for sequelae including rheumatic heart disease. The research group focuses on pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions with a major interest in pneumococcal and streptococcal infections.

Your mission

This position includes development of vaccines with a focus on pneumococcal and streptococcal infections. Identified vaccine candidates will be evaluated using genetic, proteomic, and molecular microbiology technologies as well as using in vitro and in vivo models. A production line for bacterial membrane vesicles will be set up. The major target is pneumococcal and streptococcal infections, but also other microbial infections may be targeted.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for employment as a Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree, the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise as well as have documented research experience after defending their doctoral dissertation.

Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams are essential.

Assessment criteria

It is meritorious that the applicant can show the following: 

• A PhD in microbiology (bacteriology) especially on pneumococcal or streptococcal infections will give priority. 
• Previous experience in bacteriology, especially on pneumococcal and streptococcal infections, immunology, B-cell responses, and molecular microbiology are an advantage.
• Documented experience in relevant research areas will be prioritized, especially previous experiences in microbiology and of molecular techniques, and in vitro and especially in vivo animal model systems.
• 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.

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

Application

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents:  PhD certificate, resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

Welcome to apply at the latest 2024-12-10

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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