Postdoc developing delivery tools for gene editing in vitro

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Join us in developing education of the highest quality

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions in which both research and teaching are conducted. The department is involved in advanced research in both basic and applied research. The Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine focuses on the use of modified biomolecules, cells and cell products as novel therapeutic agents and the identification and study of suitable biomolecular and cellular targets for therapy and diagnosis.

Our research group is at the forefront of the delivery field, with a strong focus on the development of innovative delivery systems using a wide range of modalities and vectors. We emphasize scientific independence, encouraging researchers to explore novel ideas and systems in pursuit of more effective cargo delivery solutions. This approach not only advances our research goals but also supports the professional growth and development of each group member. The group is large and dynamic, with a broad and complementary expertise spanning from synthetic to biologically derived delivery platforms.

Your mission

We are seeking a motivated and independent researcher to join Professor Samir El Andaloussi’s group at Karolinska Institutet for a postdoctoral position focused on the development of synthetic delivery methods for genome editing tools.

The project aims to develop and optimize delivery systems based on silica nanoparticles for the transport of Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) and so-called base editors – an advanced version of the Cas9 protein that enables precise genetic modifications. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will work on combining these RNPs with various proteins to facilitate efficient release into the cytoplasm. Although previous studies have shown that chemical approaches can achieve this, such methods are often poorly understood and potentially harmful to cells. Therefore, this project focuses on developing a protein-based delivery system.

Our group has already demonstrated proof-of-concept for this approach, and the next step is to further develop the system through protein engineering. The long-term goal is to enable efficient gene editing in challenging cell types, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells.

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.

Since work with hematopoietic stem cells is done in close collaboration with clinical staff - where Swedish is often used as the working language - it is meritorious to master both Swedish and English.

Our research group has extensive experience in intracellular delivery of macromolecules using both synthetic and biological vectors, with a particular focus on biologically derived systems. Although this project focuses on synthetic delivery systems, experience with extracellular vesicles would be an advantage.

The applicant should have a solid background in molecular biology and be knowledgeable in flow cytometry. The position requires practical lab experience in the following areas: flow cytometry, cell work and gene editing in higher cell types, such as human. Work with non-viral delivery of gene tools into cells is also highly meritorious, examples of this are work with cell-penetrating peptides and small molecules for endosomal destabilization. Experience with protein design, cloning, PCR and protein production is also an advantage. An ideal candidate should have several years of experience with gene editing and evaluation with different flow cytometry instruments. 

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

Samir EL Andaloussi group

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why

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 11 June.

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!