Research Assistant to the Division of Clinical Microbiology

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

At the Department of Clinical Microbiology, activities are conducted that are permeated by multidisciplinary research in infectious diseases that contribute with translational knowledge to the development of new diagnostics and treatment methods.

We are currently looking for a research assistant for a fixed-term position for 6 months.

About the Team

Team Innate immune responses during viral infections investigates how viruses interact with host immune signaling and metabolic pathways, with a particular focus on the ubiquitin-like modifier ISG15. Our work aims to understand how ISG15 coordinates cellular redox balance, mitochondrial integrity and antiviral defense. We want to understand how host cells adapt their metabolism under immune stress and how viruses circumvent these processes by targeting ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like (UBL) systems such as ISGylation. The group is part of the Laboratory of Systems Virology at Karolinska Institutet and collaborates with both national and international partners.

Your mission

We are looking for a research assistant to join our team working at the intersection of redox biology, innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions. The project focuses on the role of ISG15 in protecting mitochondrial and biosynthetic functions during interferon responses and how viruses evade ISG15-mediated defenses. A major research focus is to understand how viruses have evolved strategies to hijack or disrupt ubiquitin and UBL modifications, including ISGylation, to evade immune restriction and manipulate host metabolism.

You will support and independently conduct molecular biology and cell biology experiments, including:

• Functional studies in ISG15 knock-out cell models
• Virus infection experiments and quantification of viral restriction
• Western blot, ubiquitination/immunoprecipitation and ISG15 rescue experiments
• Studies of RSAD2 and DERA in regulation of metabolism and antiviral defense 
• Laboratory maintenance, documentation of data and participation in research meetings

Your profile

Requirements profile:

• Ongoing or completed Master's degree in Biomedicine, Infection Biology, Molecular Biology or related field
• If ongoing, the applicant should be in the final stage of his/her Master's degree and able to start the position shortly after graduation
• Practical experience in cell culture, molecular biology and protein analysis 
• Good knowledge of English (spoken and written), good organizational skills and ability to work independently

Additional qualifications:

• Previous work with interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), ISG15 or viral infection models
• Knowledge of ubiquitin/UBL signaling, protein degradation or redox metabolism
• Practical experience in immunoprecipitation, CRISPR editing or ROS/metabolic measurements 
• Experience working with host metabolic enzymes or antiviral effectors such as DERA or RSAD2 
• Motivation to contribute to ongoing projects in ISG15-mediated antiviral defense and proteostasis

We particularly welcome applications from candidates who are currently working on their master's thesis in related fields and are motivated to transition to a research assistant role. Continuity with ongoing projects and previous knowledge of ISG15-related biology is considered a strong merit.

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. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

Location: Ana Futura, Campus Flemingsberg, Huddinge

Read about Team Innate immune responses during viral infections

Application

Welcome to apply at the latest 8 May.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.In this recruitment, you will apply with your CV without a personal letter. Instead, you will answer some questions about why you are applying for the job in the application form. 

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

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