Postdoctoral research fellow in Genome Architecture Imaging - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

A postdoctoral position is now available in the Bienko and Crosetto Laboratories for Quantitative Genome Biology (https://bienkocrosettolabs.org/) to investigate different aspects of genome organization in healthy and disease conditions using advanced single-molecule microscopy techniques.

Research environment
The Bienko and Crosetto groups are two highly integrated research groups working on genome architecture (Bienko group) and genome fragility (Crosetto group) in different contexts. We develop and apply quantitative microscopy and sequencing techniques, combined with advanced computational approaches, to investigate the link between genome architecture and fragility, and its functional consequences, in healthy and perturbed conditions, such as cancer and aging. We pioneered BLESS, the first method for direct genome-wide localization of DNA double-strand-breaks DSBs (Crosetto et al., Nature Methods 2013), and recently further advanced the technology by developing BLISS (Yan et al., Nat Commun 2017; Mirzazadeh et al., Meth Mol Biol 2018). We have also developed GPSeq, a new method based on massively parallel sequencing that enables to measure the radial nuclear position of thousands of genomic loci simultaneously (manuscript in preparation). Recently, we have established a high-throughput platform for high-resolution DNA and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), which enables us to probe the nuclear location and the transcriptional activity of hundreds of genomic loci in thousands of single cells.

Our labs are located at the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) situated at the Karolinska Institute campus in Stockholm. SciLifeLab is an interdisciplinary center for molecular biosciences with focus on health and environmental research, bringing under the same roof groups from four universities: Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Uppsala University. The center features state-of-the-art technology platforms, including next-generation sequencing, high-throughput histology, super-resolution microscopy, proteomics, image analysis, and bioinformatics.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary and dynamic team of international researchers, including clinicians, biologists, biotechnologists, engineers, computer scientists, and physicists. Our mission is to transform the way we understand complex biological phenomena and diseases such as cancer, by integrating next-generation sequencing technologies, single-molecule microscopy methods, and advanced computational tools.

Duties
The main goal of the project is to obtain a comprehensive atlas of chromosome shapes, locations, and the associated transcriptional activity at single-cell resolution, in different model systems. The successful candidate will primarily rely on our DNA and RNA FISH methodologies to generate large image datasets that will be analysed using state-of-the-art image analysis pipelines already implemented in our lab. The successful candidate will closely interact with researchers applying sequencing-based methods to the same model systems, as well as with expert image analysts to process the high volume of image data generated. Specific tasks include:

1. Cell culture and preparation of samples for DNA and RNA FISH
2. Preparation of oligonucleotide probes using liquid handling robotics
3. Performing DNA and RNA FISH and imaging the samples
4. Image processing and analysis in synergy with a dedicated image analyst

 Entry requirements
A person is eligible for a position as postdoctoral research fellow if he or she has obtained a PhD no more than seven years before the last date of employment as postdoc.

A clearly demonstrated prior experience in microscopy methods and previous work in the field of genome organization is mandatory. Prior experience with FISH techniques is a strong advantage. Passion for meticulous work, attention to detail, and protocol optimization and troubleshooting is necessary. A strong motivation to work in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, and willingness to interact with scientists with computational background is required. Experimentalists with a strong motivation to work alongside theoreticians and to learn analytical and programming skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

• 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)
• Verifications for crediting of illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances
• Verification from the thesis defence committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defence is scheduled within three months after the application deadline)

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