Karolinska Institutet, the Department of Medicine, Huddinge

Division
The Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM) is a research unit within the Department of Medicine Huddinge with a focus on bringing together basic and clinical competences to pursue cutting-edge research improving the understanding of mechanisms involved in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. The ultimate goal is to translate novel scientific findings into the clinic, thereby improving patient outcome.

Duties
A senior researcher position is now open for a highly-motivated and skilled scientist with a strong background in molecular and cell biology, hematology and/or cancer biology. In this position, you will independently lead the work, aiming to identify cancer-specific therapeutic targets and drugs to facilitate the development of new treatment strategies for primarily hematological malignancies. The position is multi-disciplinary and involves "bench-to-bedside" approaches as well as cross-functional national and international collaborations, including collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and clinicians. Additionally, you will be responsible for supervision of students and post-doctoral researchers.

As a senior researcher in our team, your main task is to utilize and establish relevant translational cellular model systems (e.g. primary patient samples and normal primary cells) and perform state-of-the-art functional genomics and gene editing approaches. The primary cancer and normal cell model systems will also be used for evaluation of toxicity and therapeutic efficacy in different drug discovery research programs. To some extent the studies will also require the use of pre-clinical mouse models for leukemia. The purpose of the studies is to identify novel therapeutic targets and drugs, determine mechanisms of action as well as to characterize causative pathways and downstream effectors that can function as biomarkers. In addition to the cell-based assays and animal models, the practical work consists of implementing a wide variety of different techniques and methods, including functional genomic approaches and gene editing technologies (CRISPR and RNAi), and the use of relevant readout methods such as flow cytometry, next generation sequencing analysis (RNA/DNA-seq)/ChIP-Seq), and immune-fluorescence. In addition, you will use conventional molecular biology, biochemical and cellular methods, and to some extent basic bioinformatic analysis.

The position will offer a highly collaborative environment in which you will be working in teams consisting of pharmaceutical companies, academic colleagues and clinicians, thus providing a unique possibility to contribute to improve the quality of life for patients with unmet medical needs. The right candidate should have practical experience in some of the aforementioned techniques but we will also provide strong support to develop expertise in state-of-the art approaches that are used in our innovative platform. You will also be given the opportunity to participate in national and international scientific meetings, courses and in-house training in drug discovery research together with our industrial partners to support further development in your professional career.

The position will be funded for 24 months, with a possibility of extension.

Entry requirements
To be eligible for the position as a senior scientist, the applicant must hold a doctor's degree or a qualification deemed equivalent to a doctorate.

Bases of assessment
The applicant is expected to hold a PhD, or equivalent, and have a broad knowledge in molecular and cell biology, as well as hematology or cancer biology. Additionally, the applicant is expected to be able to show productivity in terms of published papers as a first and/or last author or co-authorships in high-quality scientific journals within the described research field and within the last 5 years. The level of knowledge in different technical disciplines in the described research field that are relevant for the position, will be assessed. The applicant should have experience in training and mentoring students and/or postdocs. The overall level of scientific knowledge and interpersonal skills will be crucial in the assessment of applicants.

Skills and personal qualities

  • The applicant must speak and write fluent English as well as demonstrate excellent communication skills.
  • The applicant must be experienced in laboratory animal work (as documented by FELASA C or equivalent) with at least three years hands on experience working with mice.
  • The applicant must be experienced in working with different types of cells under sterile conditions (preferably experience from working with primary cells).
  • Documented knowledge in hematology and/or cancer biology is a strong merit.
  • Solid experience in functional genomics and gene-editing technology (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9/shRNA technology), next generation sequencing, conventional molecular techniques (cloning, PCR, RT-PCR), basic bioinformatic analysis and flow cytometric analysis, is a strong merit.
  • Experience in establishing and validating cell-based assays or working with patient samples is an advantage but not a requirement.
  • Knowledge in pre-clinical drug development, toxicity and efficacy studies or similar experiences, is a merit.
  • The applicant must have a strong problem-solving mindset and a proven ability to independently lead and conduct accurate laboratory work in an efficient way, but it is also important to be a good team player in this role.
  • Responsibility, engagement and flexibility are in addition critical personal characteristics for this position, allowing successful results in changing and different environments.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English: a cover letter as well as a curriculum vitae and the scientific portfolio (except a description of planned research), presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio).

What do we offer?
A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles to several benefits such as extended holiday and generous occupational pension. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

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


Location: 
Flemingsberg

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

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment As soon as possible
Salary Månadslön
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-5535/2019
Contact
  • Julian Walfridsson, Julian.walfridsson@ki.se
Union representative
  • Belinda Pannagel, SACO, Belinda.pannagel@ki.se
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, Carina.eklund@ki.se
Published 08.Nov.2019
Last application date 06.Dec.2019 11:59 PM CET

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