Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap

The Department of Clinical Neuroscience (CNS) conducts research and education in the field of neuroscience from the molecular level to the society level. The clinical research and education is conducted in collaboration with Region Stockholm as well as other research groups from Karolinska Institutet and other universities.
Please visit our website for more information: ki.se/en/cns

Division

Movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Spinocerebellar Ataxias, Huntington Disease and psychiatric conditions like depression are common disorders linked with genetic changes acting either as causative or phenotype modifying factors. These changes are also influenced by epigenetic modifications entailing gene methylation, chromatin modifications, the expression of microRNA, or long non coding RNA. The Section of Translational Neuropharmacology headed by professor Per Svenningsson studies these disease states at a molecular and cellular level both in preclinical models and in specimens from patients.

There is a current need for disease-modifying therapies in these disease states and furthermore for biomarkers to identify early stages of the disease and treatment response. As the role of the genetic factors is now emerging in these disorders, the lab is currently investigating (epi)-genetic modifiers in these disorders and aims to identify novel biomarkers for these diseases.

Duties

Over the course of the postdoctoral appointment the successful candidate will be responsible for experimental design, analysis and interpretation of results.  The candidate will be involved in the storage and management of clinical samples, they will develop gene expression analysis (qPCR, ddPCR, single cell-ddPCR) and run most updated molecular genotyping techniques related with conventional PCR, High Resolution Melting analysis, Fragment length analysis, Sanger sequencing and Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. These studies will be aimed to search for novel biomarkers (riks haplotype, cytosine methylation, gene expression patterns, and miRNA) in different human specimens like blood, tissues, CSF, saliva and cell culture.

He/She will also use epigenetic approaches like DNA analysis after bisulfate DNA modification and CHIP and CHIP-seq from human material coming from cell culture or transgenic animals. Data derived from this studies will be assembled in databases containing clinical parameters and phenotype descriptions and sophisticated analysis will be used to uncover correlates. It is encouraged that he/she has strong background in primer designing and troubleshooting of genotyping and DNA analysis techniques.

Candidates will serve as mentors for undergraduate and masters students, as well as co-mentors for Ph.D. students in addition to participating in group meetings and journal clubs. The applicant will be expected to work well independently and as part of a team, establishing and maintaining collaborations. They should be motivated to work in an international and multidisciplinary research group. The applicant will be expected to work well independently and as part of a team, establishing and maintaining collaborations. They should be motivated to work in an international and multidisciplinary research group.

Entry requirements
Qualified to be employed as a postdoctoral researcher is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in the field of neuroscience or related fields and have a strong background in neurogenetics. Experience in molecular techniques, such as ddPCR, HRM, qPCR, CHIP, CHIPseq, NGS is highly desirable. Experience with flow capillary electrophoresis and pyrosequencing and trouble-shooting would be beneficial. Applicants would also benefit from having previous experience with molecular and cellular techniques, as well as experience in dealing with clinical samples and clinical collaborations. Good communication skills and proficiency in both spoken and written English is highly preferred.


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

  1. 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
  2. A complete list of publications
  3. A summary of current work (no more than one page)
  4. Verifications for crediting of illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances

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

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-1232/2018
Contact
  • Caisa Stilling, HR-administrator, 08-524 832 82
  • Per Svenningsson, Professor, Forskargruppsledare, 08-517 74614
Union representative
  • Arsalan Amir, SACO, 08 - 517 733 37, arsalan.amir@ki.se
  • Venus Azhary, OFR, 0707-124 127
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
Published 14.Feb.2018
Last application date 28.Feb.2018 11:59 PM CET

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