Research Specialist in Chromosome Biology

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

Laura Baranello lab: Drawing from our expertise in the fields of topoisomerase and cancer biology, we aim to answer fundamental questions about how transcription, replication and DNA topology are functionally coordinated in human cells. We use state-of-the-art approaches to assess transcriptomic, epigenomic and replisomic profiles, as well as bioinformatics, microscopy and drug screens to understand how topoisomerase regulation affects fundamental nuclear processes (key lab references: Baranello et al. Cell 2016; Wiegard et al. Molecular Cell 2021; Das et al. Molecular Cell 2022, Cameron et al. Sci. Adv. 2023). The overall aim is to reveal novel cancer dependencies and develop new anti-cancer strategies more specifically towards tumor cells and with fewer side-effects.

We are a young and dynamic research team with a well-established collaborative network. The group is also associated to the laboratory of Prof. Shirahige at University of Tokyo (Japan) and Dr. Levens at the NIH (USA). The successful applicant will thus be part of multiple networks of recognized scientists. The group is placed in Biomedicum, a top modern research building with a large repertoire of researchers and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.

Description of the subject area

Topoisomerases are essential enzymes that regulate the topology of DNA favoring replication and transcription by cleaving/resealing DNA strands. Because cancer cells have higher rates of proliferation compared to normal cells, they are highly dependent on topoisomerase activity. Therefore, strategies to target topoisomerases could provide a mean to selectively affect cancer cells. The focus of our research is to understand how topoisomerases are regulated during nuclear processes to develop new ways to target these regulatory mechanisms and affect the viability of cancer cells.

Your mission

The selected candidate will play an important role in the development and management of scientific projects. Our recent articles show that topoisomerases execute their function through interactions with partner proteins that modulate their activity to affect transcription (Baranello et al. Cell 2016; Das et al. Molecular Cell 2022, Cameron et al. Sci. Adv. 2023). We use biochemical and molecular biology approaches, advanced microscopy, DNA and RNA sequencing and CRISPR-based genome editing to investigate how topoisomerase dynamics within the nucleus control topoisomerase activity. This will inspire a new strategy to target topoisomerases in cancer therapy.

The successful candidate will be expected to assist doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with their projects, providing seniority and expertise to the group, as well as pursue an independent line of research.

The responsibilities and duties of the applicant include:

• Keep up to date with relevant scientific literature and contribute to the design and execution of experimental work.
• Analyze data (performing computational analysis of genomic datasets) and interpret results.
• Generate and assist in the writing of scientific texts, including research papers, reviews and grants.
• Train and mentor team members.

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 postdoctoral research experience.

Assessment criteria

Required:

• Competency in Cell and Molecular Biology is sought.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and ability to communicate with laboratory members and collaborators.
• An ability to drive projects, experimentally and intellectually. 
• Proficiency in molecular biology methodologies including DNA/RNA-extraction, RT-qPCR, Western blot, DNA/RNA sequencing, library preparation for Illumina sequencing, and mammalian cell culture.
• Expertise working with big data (generated by e.g. RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN)
• Experience in method development for genome wide detection of protein-DNA adducts. 

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown

•  Experience in writing research publications.
• Experience with flow cytometry and FACS sorting.
• Expertise in machine learning algorithms. 

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: Stockholm

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 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.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Permanent position is initiated by a six month trial period.

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