Postdoctoral studies in Protein Degradation and Genome Maintenance

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

A postdoctoral scholarship is available in the lab of Olle Sangfelt at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a department with a strong focus on basic science. CMB conducts research and education in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cancer and infection biology. CMB is located in Biomedicum, a interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna under one roof to promote collaboration. Biomedicum houses approximately 1,200 researchers and other personnel and allows expensive equipment to be shared and utilized more effectively.

Division

The Sangfelt Lab investigates how SCF ubiquitin ligases, particularly F-box proteins, contribute to cancer development, progression, and treatment resistance. F-box proteins serve as substrate adaptors within these multimeric ligases, determining substrate specificity and functional outcomes. Previous research by us and others has demonstrated that many of the 69 human F-box proteins regulate oncoproteins and stress tolerance pathways, playing critical roles in oncogenesis.

We focus on how deregulation of the ubiquitin machinery disrupts cellular homeostasis, with current projects exploring the roles of F-box proteins in replication stress, checkpoint activation, and recovery. Using advanced molecular techniques and drug discovery approaches, we aim to identify novel therapeutic targets to combat cancer progression and improve treatment outcomes.

Our work is supported by major funding bodies, including the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund, and the Swedish Cancer Society.

Duties

The postdoctoral fellow will be involved in conducting a CRISPR-based genetic screen and follow-up validation studies to identify factors involved in replication stress resistance. In addition, the candidate will participate in a screening campaign to discover small molecule compounds targeting these pathways.

The successful candidate will also contribute to efforts aimed at identifying compounds that modulate the function of F-box proteins, with a particular focus on those implicated in replication stress and checkpoint control. Tasks will include experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of results using a range of molecular and cellular biology techniques.

The postdoctoral fellow will be part of a multinational team with strong ties to an international network of collaborating laboratories.

Entry requirements

We are seeking an ambitious and highly motivated postdoctoral fellow with a PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, or a closely related field. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in experimental molecular biology and a keen interest in cancer biology.

 Essential qualifications:

• A PhD in a relevant life science discipline (awarded or expected shortly).
• Proficiency in standard molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9 editing,    Western blotting, qPCR, flow cytometry).
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and interpret complex experiments independently.

 Desirable qualifications:

• Basic bioinformatics skills, including familiarity with R or Python for data analysis.
• Experience with high-throughput screening approaches or compound screening.
• Knowledge of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and/or cancer cell signaling pathways.
• A track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative team player with a proactive mindset and a strong interest in translational cancer research.

Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their postdoctoral research in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.

A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.

To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

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 innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical 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. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, 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)

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

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