Postdoctoral Researcher in Adaptor-Mediated Modulation of GPCRs in Depression and Parkinson’s Disease

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Department of Clinical Neuroscience (CNS) conducts research and education in the field of neuroscience from the molecular level to the society level. The clinical research and education is conducted in collaboration with other research groups from the Karolinska Institutet, with other universities as well as the Stockholm County Council.

Your mission

The team of Translational Neuropharmacology investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying depression, stress-related disorders, and neurodegeneration, with a particular focus on the multifunctional protein p11 (S100A10). Our studies have demonstrated that p11 plays a critical role in the etiology of depression and the mechanism of action of antidepressants, as well as in stress responses and Parkinson’s disease (PD). p11 interacts with various proteins, including serotonin receptors (5-HTRs), ion channels, and chromatin remodeling factors, and is a key modulator of GPCR trafficking and signaling.

Altered expression of p11 has been observed in depressed patients and in multiple animal models, and its regulation is closely linked to the therapeutic efficacy of several classes of antidepressants. More recently, we have identified a role for p11 in PD models and in the modulation of the stress hormone response via hypothalamic and brainstem circuits.

Our ongoing work aims to explore how p11 regulates the trafficking and intracellular signaling of GPCRs and how these molecular interactions impact stress reactivity, dopaminergic neurodegeneration, antidepressant response, and neuronal structural dynamics such as cytoskeleton remodeling and cell motility.

During the postdoctoral appointment, the successful applicant will contribute to the investigation of p11-dependent modulation of GPCRs, focusing on their membrane trafficking, intracellular signaling, and functional consequences on stress-related and dopaminergic pathways. The project involves the use of molecular and cellular biology techniques, live-cell imaging, and functional assays in mammalian cell lines, with possible extension to animal models. Ability to cooperate and strong motivation are expected throughout the project. Candidates will be encouraged to act as mentors for graduate students and as co-mentors for doctoral students, thus building up their experience for future leadership.

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.

Requirements:

• Strong expertise in GPCRs, including their transport and signaling.
• Experience in molecular cloning and targeted mutagenesis.
• Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken.

You should have

• An academic degree in pharmacology and a PhD in cell or molecular biology or a related field.
• Strong background in molecular and cellular techniques, including microscopy, BRET, and methods for studying protein-protein interactions such as co-immunoprecipitation.
• Experience in the use and manipulation of mammalian cell lines.
• Previous experience in animal behavior studies is an advantage.
• A strong interest in translational research.

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: [Solna, SÖS, Danderyd or Flemingsberg]

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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 xx-xx-xx

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

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

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