Research Specialist in Molecular Mechanism of Cellular Ageing

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

The Pietrocola Lab investigates the metabolic and molecular mechanisms that drive cellular and organismal aging, with a strong focus on senescence and autophagy. Using state-of-the-art in vitro approaches and in vivo models of tissue dysfunction, we aim to uncover actionable pathways that can be leveraged to prevent or reverse age-associated disease. Joining our team offers the opportunity to work at the interface of fundamental cell biology, physiology, and translational discovery in a supportive and ambitious research environment.

Description of the subject area

The Pietrocola Lab works at the intersection of cellular biology, biochemistry, immunology, and physiology. Our central focus is to uncover the mechanisms and physiological relevance of cellular senescence in health and disease, with a strong emphasis on tissue damage, fibrosis, and unhealthy ageing.

Your mission

As a Research Specialist in the Pietrocola Lab, you will lead and coordinate multiple ongoing projects, contribute to the day-to-day organization of the laboratory, and support the supervision of undergraduate students. A particularly important part of the role is to perform and optimize procedures in mouse models to induce tissue damage and to characterize key hallmarks of cellular and molecular ageing, including cellular senescence–associated phenotypes. You will work closely with other lab members to ensure high-quality experimental execution, data collection, and reporting across projects.

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.

Furthermore, essential entry requirements include proven ability to conduct research using animal models (mouse), including experience with mouse models of pulmonary and renal fibrosis.
The applicant must also have documented experience in laboratory organization and in supervising students.

Assessment criteria

Assessment will be based on the applicant’s documented qualifications and experience, as demonstrated in the CV, cover letter, and relevant certificates, as well as through interviews. Interpersonal skills and communication abilities will also be assessed during the interview, including the applicant’s capacity to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary and multicultural research environment.

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown:

• Proven ability to work with mouse models of tissue injury, with a strong emphasis on renal and pulmonary fibrosis, including relevant certification for animal experimentation (e.g., FELASA or equivalent).
• Demonstrated capacity to plan, lead, and coordinate experimental workflows across multiple projects in a structured and efficient manner.
• Prior experience in research related to cellular senescence and autophagy, including experimental characterization of key molecular and cellular hallmarks.
• Strong expertise in cellular metabolism, including metabolic stress paradigms and/or metabolic phenotyping approaches relevant to ageing biology.

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown:

• Experience in supervising and mentoring undergraduate students, including supervision in laboratory methods, experimental design, and scientific reporting.
• Ability to contribute to lab organization, including coordination of protocols, logistics, and shared lab responsibilities.
• Evidence of being able to attract research funding, such as participation in grant applications, fellowships, scholarships, or other competitive funding schemes.

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

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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 months trial period.

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