Research Assistant in Epigenetics of smoking in Multiple Sclerosis

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Join the dynamic and cooperative group of Prof. Maja Jagodic under the supervision of the Team Leader Dr. Lara Kular at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience. This offers the opportunity to contribute to interactive research driven by pertinent clinical questions, combining deep molecular understanding of the mechanisms underlying Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with some of the most competitive clinical materials worldwide. You will benefit from a highly collaborative, engaged and international research environment committed to exploring innovative translational ideas in precision medicine where you will have the possibility to conduct research at the top international level in the field.

Your mission

We are looking for a 50% research assistant for a 6-month position with possibility of extension. The successful candidate will join our research team and collaborate with PhD students, postdocs, and senior researchers to decipher multiple sclerosis pathogenesis, with a focus on the mechanisms underlying the impact of smoking on neuroinflammation in MS. The work entails both an experimental side including next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation of clinical and experimental samples, functional experiments based on CRISPR/dCas9-epigenome editing in vitro and bioinformatic work to address transcriptomic changes under the guidance of our senior bioinformatician.

Your profile

Absolute requirements:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Scientific and/or research background on human diseases and mechanisms involved in autoimmunity and nervous processes.
• Knowledge of mechanisms of gene regulation and epigenetics.
• Technical skills in basic molecular (cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR) and cellular (cell culture, transfection) work.
• Documented practical experience with NGS-based library preparation, preferably in the field of both DNA methylation and gene expression.
• Documented programming skills (preferably in R) in NGS-derived analyses preferably in both bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing.
• Good command of spoken and written English.

 Meritorious requirements:

• Knowledge of multiple sclerosis disease
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of the molecular impact of exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke (e.g., human omics, in vitro exposure
• Practical experience with CRISPR-based methylation editing
• Co-authorship of scientific publications or manuscripts is a plus

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. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

Location: Solna

Read more about Department of Clinical Neuroscience 
Read more about the research group you will be part of 

Application

KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.In this recruitment, you will apply with your CV without a personal letter. Instead, you will answer some questions about why you are applying for the job in the application form. 

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