Research Specialist in Molecular Diagnostics and Genomics

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. MTC have about 40 research groups and our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations. Our laboratory is located at the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab, http://www.scilifelab.se/) in the Karolinska Institute campus. SciLifeLab is equiped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and core facilities, and is home to one of the largest sequencing cluster in Europe.

Our group combines experimental and computational work, and aims to develop and apply novel genome-wide techniques to address fundamental biological questions with medical implications. We are especially interested in how subtle variations in gene expression can lead to differential cellular phenotypes and are passionate about RNA biology (http://pelechanolab.com/). You will have the opportunity to work in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment and combine the development of state-of-the art genome-wide approaches with the molecular dissection of fundamental biological problems.

Are you interested in translating fundamental biological knowledge into innovative molecular diagnostic approaches? Would you like to combine cutting-edge genome-wide technologies with molecular biology and clinical genomics? Come and join us at SciLifeLab!

Description of the subject area

In recent years, new diagnostic tools have played an increasingly significant role in healthcare. Molecular diagnostics involves developing and using advanced methods to detect, monitor, and study diseases. This field combines knowledge from areas such as molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. Bringing together different types of expertise is important for identifying genetic and infectious disease markers, supporting patient stratification, and facilitating precision medicine. Progress relies on collaboration among researchers with varied backgrounds, connecting basic science with clinical practice to create solutions within an interdisciplinary and international context.

Your mission

The available research specialist position focuses on the development of innovative molecular diagnostic assays. The main responsibility of the candidate will be to improve current diagnostics for infectious diseases (e.g., viral and antimicrobial sensitivity diagnostics). The candidate is expected to lead assay design and validation, enforce rigorous quality control, and integrate automation and analysis pipelines. This will include the development and automation of novel NGS approaches as well as molecular point-of-care methods. In addition to leading the development of molecular diagnostic approaches for infectious diseases, the candidate is also expected to contribute to the advancement of clinical genomic methods for improved patient stratification in cancer and other diseases. The candidate will conduct original research, assist in the supervision of junior colleagues, and acquire the necessary experimental and computational skills required for successful completion of the project. The candidate is expected to communicate scientific findings by contributing to scientific publications and attending relevant meetings.

Further responsibilities include supporting laboratory management and coordination, and assisting the group leader with administrative duties. The ideal candidate will participate in the general duties of the team and communicate effectively with scientists from diverse backgrounds in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment.

The working language is English.

Eligibility requirements

For employment as Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements stated in the Guidelines for non-teaching positions at Karolinska Institutet are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

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.

Applicants for this position should have a PhD in molecular biology, medical sciences or a similar field.

In addition to the aforementioned requirements for the position:

• A strong interest in interdisciplinary technology development, as well as novel and creative thinking abilities.
• Extensive experience in molecular diagnostics and isothermal DNA amplification.
• Proven hands-on experience in designing, optimizing, and validating molecular assays (e.g., LAMP, qPCR, targeted NGS panels).
• Extensive experience in NGS method development.
• Experience developing methods for viral and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) diagnosis.
• Experience in bioinformatics and NGS data analysis.
• Experience with Illumina and nanopore sequencing.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in teams.

Meritorious for the position:

• Experience in LAMP and the development of point-of-care diagnostic methods.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with end users of molecular diagnostic methods.
• Experience in RNA biology and its genome-wide study.
• Experience in project and budget management and data reporting.
• Good understanding of GDPR/patient data handling requirements for near-clinical molecular labs.

Assessment criteria

In the assessment, special weight will be attached to scientific skills of relevance to the project and to previous research experience.

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: Solna

Choose to work at KI - Ten reasons why 

http://pelechanolab.com/

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 months trial period.

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