Postdoctoral Researcher in generation of photoreceptors from pluripotent stem cells

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Lanner lab which belongs to the Divisions at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology has developed a method to produce retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Transplantation of RPE cells can hopefully slow down the progression of the disease but never restore lost vision. To restore vision, new photoreceptors are also required. Transplantation of photoreceptors can also be used to treat Retinitis Pigmentosa. This project aims to develop an efficient method to produce photoreceptors from pluripotent stem cells and test these in preclinical animal models.

Your mission

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will work in our team to establish a method for differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into photoreceptors. This will involve culturing and differentiating pluripotent stem cells, cell isolation, genetic analysis and microscopy. It is hoped that these photoreceptors can be used for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. Produced photoreceptors will then be tested in animal models together with Professor Anders Kvanta and Dr. Filippo Locri. Once functionality has been demonstrated in animal models, the work will focus on making the method clinically compatible for future clinical trials, which may include the use of a bioreactor.

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.

It is also particularly advantageous if you have:

• Experience in differentiation of pluripotent stem cells

It is advantageous if you have:

• Experience in retinal developmental biology or production of retinal cell types
• Experience in flow cytometry, cell sorting, microscopy, clinical cell production and GMP

As a person, you are expected to have a strong ability to collaborate and present scientific work, which requires excellent verbal communication skills. You are analytical, solution-oriented, and work independently with a drive to deliver results.

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: Flemingsberg

Lanner lab 
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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)

Welcome to apply at the latest 20 March 2025.

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

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

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