Karolinska Institutet

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

A research position is available at the at the Division of Clinical Physiology

Research group
The position is available at the Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine in Huddinge, in the Integrative Clinical Physiology research group led by Dr. Thomas Gustafsson. Our research in clinical physiology aims to increase awareness of the link between physical activity and health, and the causes of impaired body function such as muscle wasting during inactivity, disease or aging. Our research spans from the whole-body level down to specific tissues and organs at the molecular level. Research is conducted in close collaboration with the Physiology Department at the Karolinska University Hospital. Traditional metabolic and physiological measurements are combined with molecular analysis (gene and protein expression, arrays, and bioinformatics) in different tissues as well as in primary cell cultures.

The research project
Population aging is rapidly accelerating worldwide. Extended lifetime involves maintaining function and the capacity of living independently. Thus, identifying new targets for drug, diet and exercise interventions with potential to counteract muscle wasting is of crucial clinical importance. By understanding the molecular mechanisms of the muscle programs leading to this wasting process, it is possible to develop effective interventions directly targeting these regulatory mechanisms. If these can be used on a long-term basis, it will increase independency and autonomy in the elderly population.

The overall research goal of this position is to increase the understanding of how aging and age-related diseases influence muscle mass and function, and then establish biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can help to identify and treat people with or at risk of muscle deconditioning. To accomplish this, a combination of cutting edge basic and clinical research with access to different patient cohorts suffering from muscle wasting must be performed. Ultimately, the outcomes accomplish by the successful candidate will be implemented in clinical practice and potentially contribute to lower societal costs of healthcare, as well as decreased individual suffering and improved health and autonomy in the geriatric population. The close link between basic and clinical research will facilitate a transfer of the basic findings into clinical practice.

Prerequisites and duties
Knowledge of functional, molecular, and cellular aspects of muscle regeneration and degeneration in healthy subjects and patients suffering from different diseases is essential. A robust background in exercise methods to combat muscle wasting and different models of skeletal muscle unloading, as well as in muscle protein turnover signaling, and big-data (e.g. genomics) interpretation is required. Participation in national and international projects as principal and co-investigator in the field of skeletal muscle and/or aging is valued. In addition, proven record of both grants and publications in human physiology, with a focus on skeletal muscle is required. The successful candidate should have experience in high throughput analysis such as RNAseq and microarray analysis, including knowledge R programming. Past participation in teaching of undergraduate/postgraduate courses, as well as experience in supervision of undergraduate, Master and PhD students is preferred. The current position also requires a great ability to be proactive and innovative, work independently, as well as to establish collaborations within KI and internationally. A high number of publications in peer-reviewed journals is expected from the candidate.

Entry requirements 
A person is eligible to be appointed Senior Researcher if he or she has been awarded a Degree of Doctor or has achieved the corresponding scientific competence, as well as documented research after publicly defending his or her doctoral thesis corresponding to qualification as Assistant professor. In addition to this, displayed pedagogical proficiency or other related skills that are relevant to the appointment's duties may be required to be eligible.

Other requirements
The candidate should have a great understanding of physiology and be highly motivated and passionate towards his/her projects. A robust track of both grants and publications in human physiology is essential, as well as ability to interact with other national and international research groups. MD degree is a merit. An excellent level of English, spoken and written, is a requirement as well as documented pedagogical merits.

Bases of assessment
We stress research expertise when assessing applicants.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English: Curriculum vitae, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio). 

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


Type of employment Special fixed-term employment
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-1988/2019
Contact
  • Thomas Gustafsson, 0858586777
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65
  • Emilie Hultin, Annica Lindkvist, SACO, 08-52483286, 08-524 800 00
Published 27.Mar.2019
Last application date 17.Apr.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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