Postdoctoral Researcher in Motor impairments in autism

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher interested in studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of motor impairments associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The project involves genome editing, single cell transcriptomics, functional and behavioural assays using zebrafish as a model system.

Research environment

This project is a collaborative effort between the research labs of Michael Ratz (Department of Cell and Molecular Biology) and Johanna Lanner (Department of Physiology and Pharmacology). Our labs are located on KI’s Solna campus in Biomedicum, a brand-new and interdisciplinary research center with advanced laboratories and modern facilities designed to promote research and collaboration. The Ratz lab develops and employs novel genomic tools to reveal the wiring rules of neural circuit assembly in animal models during normal development and in disease. The Lanner lab studies molecular mechanisms driving muscle impairments in common diseases and in genetic disorders using a wide range of in vivo and ex vivo approaches.

As a postdoc in this project, you will be part of KIRI, the Karolinska Institutet Research Incubator, a unique initiative at KI to build a community for interdisciplinary research and breakthrough discoveries. You will have access to two PI:s that you can meet and interact with to facilitate the research process and increase the synergetic effects. You can also meet other KIRI postdocs, present your work at scientific events, and take part in KIRI activities.

Read more about KIRI here: https://ki.se/en/research/ki-research-incubator-kiri 

Your mission

The project will use the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an in vivo model to elucidate and rescue the effects of ASD risk gene deletions on motor function. The project aims (1) to identify zebrafish mutants with motility defects using an in vivo CRISPR screen, (2) to reveal molecular changes in motor neurons and muscle cells using single-cell transcriptomics and (3) to rescue motor function using genetic and/or pharmacological methods. You will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to execute this project. You will have the opportunity to work closely with experimental and computational scientists inside the lab.

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

Qualifications:

• You are a creative, hardworking and positive team player.
• You have a PhD in developmental neurobiology, molecular neuroscience, muscle physiology, muscle metabolism, neuromuscular disease, biomedical science, or another relevant field. 
•  You have a strong background and documented expertise in working with zebrafish (e.g. generation of crispants, single-cell library preparation, in situ RNA hybridization chain reaction technology, immunocytochemistry and fluorescence imaging, behavioral assays).
• You can work independently, and you have the interpersonal and communication skills to succeed in working in a multidisciplinary team. You have a deep sense of responsibility, take initiatives and have capacity and flexibility to work with researchers and students with different expertise.
• You have very good written and spoken English and are a good communicator, both when it comes to presentations and preparation of publications. You have good recommendations from previous supervisors/teachers.

Merits:

• You have experience in programming (e.g. with R and Python) to analyse single-cell transcriptomics data. 

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: Stockholm

 [Video about a Karolinska Institutet, how we work towards "a better health for all"] 

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• PhD certificate
• 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.

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