Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

Division of Clinical Physiology
A position as Researcher is available at the Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine in Huddinge. Our research in clinical physiology aims to increase awareness of the link between physical activity and health, and the causes of impaired body function such as muscle wasting during inactivity, disease or aging. Our research spans from the whole-body level down to specific tissues and organs at the molecular level. Research is conducted in close collaboration with the Physiology Department at the Karolinska University Hospital. Traditional metabolic and physiological measurements are combined with molecular analysis in different tissues as well as in primary cell cultures.

The research project
Physical activity after a cancer diagnosis leads to maintained physical functioning and quality of life. Emerging epidemiological and animal model based evidence also support the role of exercise to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce recurrence and improve survival. Thus, identifying personalized and targeted exercise interventions with potential to counteract physical decline, treatment side effects and disease progression is of crucial clinical importance. In addition, by understanding the molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects induced by exercise on neoplastic disease and co-morbidities, it is possible to develop effective interventions directly targeting these regulatory mechanisms. If these can be used on a long-term basis, it will increase autonomy and longevity in the increasing population of cancer survivors.

The overall research goal of this position is to increase the understanding of how exercise interventions can influence physical functioning and prognosis in patients with cancer, and to use this information to establish novel biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for patients with cancer. To accomplish this, a combination of cutting edge basic and clinical research with access to relevant infrastructure and patient cohorts must be performed. Ultimately, the outcomes accomplish by the successful candidate will be implemented in clinical practice and potentially contribute to lower societal costs of healthcare, as well as decreased individual suffering and improved prognosis, health and autonomy in the cancer survivor population. The close link between basic and clinical research will facilitate a transfer of the basic findings into clinical practice.

Prerequisites and duties
The applicant should have thorough theoretical and practical experience of the field of exercise oncology. Knowledge of physiological, cellular and molecular aspects and models of neoplastic disease and current treatments is essential. A robust background in exercise physiology (healthy individuals and patients) and experimental models of exercise (animal and cellular models) is required. Proven record of both grants and publications in the field of exercise oncology is required. Participation in national and international projects as principal and co-investigator in the field of exercise oncology is valued.

The successful candidate should have experience in establishment and assessment of exercise interventions in cancer patient populations as well as in animal models of neoplasia. Previous experience in setting up and managing genetic animal models is considered an advantage. Previous experience of immunological characterization is considered a merit.

Qualifying for the current position includes profound knowledge of experimental biology using cellular systems (including primary cultures), imaging techniques, metabolic characterization (e.g. seahorse and metabolomics), cytokine profiling, protein and mRNA expression, enzyme activity and epigenetic characterization. Past participation in teaching of undergraduate/postgraduate courses, as well as experience in supervision of undergraduate, Master and PhD students is preferred. The current position also requires a great ability to be proactive and innovative, work independently, as well as to establish collaborations within KI and internationally. A high number of publications in peer-reviewed journals is expected from the candidate.

Teaching and course responsibility is included in the position. Therefore the applicant should have thorough theoretical and practical experience of teaching in the field of basic anatomy and physiology. The amount of educational activities vary depending on the level of external funding.

Entry requirements
A person is eligible to be appointed researcher if he or she has obtained a PhD or has equivalent scientific competence as well as documented research work after the dissertation.

Other requirements
The candidate should have a great understanding of physiology and be highly motivated and passionate about his/her projects. A robust track record of both grants and publications in human physiology is essential, as well as an ability to interact with other national and international research groups. An excellent level of English, spoken and written, is a requirement, as well as documented pedagogical merits.

Scientific expertise will weigh most heavily when assessing applicants.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish: Curriculum vitae, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio).

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

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-5159/2019
Contact
  • Thomas Gustafsson,, thomas.gustafsson@ki.se
Union representative
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65, carina.eklund@ki.se
  • Emilie Hultin, Annica Lindkvist, SACO, 08-524 832 86, 08-524 837 46
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
Published 10.Oct.2019
Last application date 06.Nov.2019 11:59 PM CET

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