Karolinska Institutet, at one of KI's departments

Overview of the Position
Novo Nordisk is funding a prestigious fellowship programme at Karolinska Institutet (KI) for postdoctoral research fellows. The programme is focused on research in diabetes and its comorbidities, endocrinology and metabolism. It aims to support the development of a new generation of exceptional young early career diabetes researchers, who will become future leaders in the field, while further developing scientific excellence within diabetes and ultimately improving the lives of patients. As part of this programme, we are looking to recruit 4 outstanding postdoctoral research fellows.
Based at Karolinska Institutet, fellows will undertake a cutting edge research project, mentored by world-leading researchers in the field of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism. In addition, it is anticipated that during the course of the fellowship, fellows will have the opportunity to spend up to 3 months in the research laboratories at Novo Nordisk outside Copenhagen, Denmark. Thus, fellows will gain insight into research conducted in both academia and industry. In order to increase coherence around the Fellowship programme, a number of events will be held throughout the year such as high profile lectures, symposia, etc. which the fellows will attend, both at Karolinska Institutet and at Novo Nordisk.
The fellowships are fully funded and salary is provided for a 3 year period. It is our intention that the positions will start in the autumn of 2019, though some flexibility with the start date might be possible.
Research Projects
The following 11 projects are available:

  1. Prinicipal Investigator Per-Olof Berggren Project Title Physiological and pathophysiological Ca2+ signaling in pancreatic islet cells.
  2. Principal Investigator Niklas Björkström Project Title Obesity-induced metabolic deregulation of tissue-resident NK cells in the development of fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, a “human multi-organ study”.
  3. Principal Investigators Magnus Bäck and Susanna Larsson Project Title Aortic Valve Stenosis – an Underestimated Comorbidity in Diabetes Mellitus.
  4. Principal Investigator Sofia Carlsson Project Title LADA-latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, risk factors and prognosis.
  5. Prinicipal Investigator Lisa Juntti-Berggren Project Title Apolipoprotein CIII, a target in the battle against diabetes and its comorbidities.
  6. Prinicipal Investigators Peder Olofsson and Stephen Malin Project Title Neural control of inflammation and metabolism in liver disease.
  7. Principal Investigators John Pernow and Per Eriksson Project Title The red blood cell as a novel mediator of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.
  8. Prinicipal Investigators Mikael Rydén and Peter Arner Project Title Identifying the role of human white adipose tissue for the development of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes.
  9. Prinicipal Investigator Kirsty Spalding Project Title Cell regeneration in the healthy and pathological human kidney.
  10. Principal Investigator Eckardt Treuter Project Title From co-repressor phosphorylation to epigenome therapy of fatty liver disease.
  11. Principal Investigators Juleen Zierath and Anna Krook Project Title Metabolic crosstalk and the regulation of insulin sensitivity in Type 2 diabetes.

Full details on each project and contact information to the PIs can be found at: https://ki.se/en/srp-diabetes/novo-nordisk-fellowships
As part of your application, you must select up to three of the projects, ranking them in order of preference. You should indicate your preferences in your Personal Letter and provide a rationale for your particular selections. If your application is successful, we will aim to match you with your first choice of project, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Key responsibilities of the selected applicant:

  • Plan, manage and conduct an agreed academic research project and associated activities; taking direction from the principal investigator and other colleagues in the laboratory as appropriate.
  • Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate.
  • Develop research questions, analyse detailed and complex qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources, and contribute original ideas for new research projects.
  • Coordinate multiple aspects of work to deliver novel research data in accordance with established timelines set between you and the principal investigator.
  • Develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers.
  • Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols to support research.
  • Regularly write research articles at an international level for peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and reviews.
  • Formally present your research and represent the research group at internal, national and international conferences and meetings; either with other members of the team or alone.
  • Informally present your research to the group at established meetings.
  • Provide scientific input into the research group both at meetings and practically where requested or appropriate.
  • Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.

Selection Criteria
Essential 

  • A PhD in a medical/biological subject (to be completed in 2019), together with relevant experience.
  • The ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities.
  • A strong CV, having published in high impact journals and presented at international meetings.
  • Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.
  • Ability to work with meticulous attention to detail.
  • An enthusiastic interest in diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism research.
  • Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills and leadership, with the ability to communicate research ideas and results in a clear and logical way and the ability to confidently and effectively interact with colleagues and the broader research community.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
  • A conscientious and enthusiastic working approach.
  • Excellent planning, organizational and problem solving skills.

Each Fellowship and research Projects is for up to three years. We will prioritize applicants who have the opportunity to complete the project and be employed for three years. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than three years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position as postdoc.

How to apply
If you consider that you meet the selection criteria, click on the Login and apply button on this page and follow the on-screen instructions to register as a user. You will then be required to provide information in a number of screens with your application details, relating to your skills and experience. When prompted, please provide details of three references (whom can be contacted if the applicant is invited to an interview). You will also be required to upload a CV and Personal Letter which explains how you meet the selection criteria for the post. The Personal Letter (maximum two pages) should explain your relevant experience which may have been gained in employment, education, or you may have taken time away from these activities as illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances. Additionally, your Personal Letter should also include a rationale for the 3 projects you have selected and justify your order of preference. Your application will be judged in part on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria outlined above and we are happy to consider evidence of transferable skills or experience which you may have gained outside the context of paid employment or education.

Please save all uploaded documents to show your name and the document type.

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

The closing date for applications is midnight CEST on Sunday 7th April, 2019.

Interviews will be held in June 2019.

Working at Karolinska Institutet
For further information about working at Karolinska Institutet, rules for visa/residence permit, insurance and accommodation please see: https://ki.se/en/staff/international-staff

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment efter överenskommelse
Salary månadslön
Number of positions 4
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-1622/2019
Union representative
  • Torkel Falkenberg, SACO, 08-524 838 68
  • Magnus Anå, OFR, 08-524 864 37, magnus.ana@ki.se
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
Published 01.Mar.2019
Last application date 07.Apr.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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