Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Molecular Neurobiology

We invite applications for a position as postdoctoral fellow. The position will be placed at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Molecular Neurobiology, in the laboratory of Professor Ernest Arenas: http://ernestarenaslab.org/

Division
The Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics conducts multidisciplinary research in Biomedicine and education within biochemistry and biophysics. Presently our department consists of 12 research divisions with a total of approximately 350 employees.
The Arenas laboratory is placed in the Division of Molecular Neurobiology, a very international, interactive, young and vibrant research environment. It hosts research groups with diverse backgrounds, creating a unique cluster with expertise in advanced genetics, cellular and molecular biology, high content single cell RNA sequencing, biochemistry, epigenetics, bioinformatics, imaging, multiple aspects of neuroscience, behavior, electrophysiology, developmental neurobiology and stem cell biology. Excellent research facilities are available.

Duties
We are looking for a creative computational biologist seeking to study the physiological mechanisms behind human midbrain development and neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease. Data will initially include single cell RNA-seq and subsequently single cell epigenetic and proteomic analysis. The project will involve analysis of data from human samples, pluripotent stem cells during differentiation into dopaminergic neurons in 2D and 3D cultures, as well as cells undergoing direct reprogramming into dopaminergic neurons. The project is in part based on our recent identification of the cellular and molecular complexity of the developing mouse and human midbrain (La Manno et al., 2106, Cell) and the development of novel methods for direct in vivo reprogramming of astrocytes into functional induced dopamine neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (Rivetti et al., 2017, Nature Biotech).
You will be expected to manage your own bioinformatic pipelines, interact with other computational biologists in our research unit, model diverse aspects of development and disease and integrate different levels of information. You will collaborate with other lab members, will work in close interaction with wet scientists in the group, will become familiar with the biological questions and will provide input to quide targeted approaches based CRISPR/Cas9 technology. You will be encouraged to address challenging questions within the research field, think independently and develop high impact research.
The successful candidate will contribute to project design, data generation, analyses, interpretation and writing of the manuscripts. You will participate in lab, division and center seminars and activities, including education and scientific meetings. The post will provide a unique opportunity to ambitious individuals that enjoy a creative, interactive, interdisciplinary and international academic environment and seek personal development.

Entry requirements
In assessing candidates we will place particular emphasis on the personal trajectory, skills and publication track. To qualify, the applicant must hold a recent doctor’s degree and have a very strong motivation to pursue challenging research. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated skills in computational biology, in particular analysis of single cell data. Experience of working in the area of the project, including neurobiology, developmental, stem cell biology and neurodegenerative diseases, will be considered as an additional merit. Publications in high profile journals and experience in working in a multidisciplinary international environment or outside of the country of origin will be considered as an advantage. The optimal candidate will be open to new ideas, flexible, engaged and goal oriented. All applicants should have good communication skills and be proficient in spoken and written English.

Application process

Applications must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

  • A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defense, 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)
  • Verifications for crediting of illness, military service, work for labor unions or student organizations, parental leave or similar circumstances
  • A letter of motivation (no more than one page)

The position is for at least 2 years, with the possibility of extension. 

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

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Upon agreement
Salary Monthly
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-1268/2018
Contact
  • Ernest Arenas / Professor, +46 8-524 876 63
Union representative
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75 , biborka.bveress@ki.se
  • Anne Edgren, OFR/S, P, O, 08-616 16 29
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
Published 01.Mar.2018
Last application date 31.May.2018 11:59 PM CEST

Return to job vacancies