The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in several areas of medical science including aging, Alzheimer, biomaterial, molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, immunology, and nutrition. It offers an excellent international research and working environment, including around 250 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel. The Department resides in Neo at Campus Flemingsberg, a biomedical research building, aimed at being a creative and open environment that enables meetings, synergies, and exploration of areas of mutual interest across disciplines.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

”Do you want to propel your research career by joining a team in the middle of exciting projects that will advance our understanding of tumor invasion? Do you want to apply your research skills at the intersection of cutting-edge single cell techniques and human pathology?”


Division

We are looking for a Postdoctoral fellow to Marco Gerlings research group, https://ki.se/en/bionut/signalling-and-cellular-heterogeneity-in-cancer-marco-gerling-leander-blaas-rune-toftgard

We perform translational research that aims to understand mechanisms of cancer invasion into healthy tissue, with a focus on colorectal and pancreatic cancer. To chart cell interactions between tumor and normal cells, we apply novel single-cell sequencing methods, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.06.980243v1 , on both mouse models and human tumors.

All research is tightly connected to Karolinska University Hospital. A particularly close collaboration is established with the pathology department, allowing access to clinical cohorts of patients with liver metastases and primary tumors. A further key collaboration is established with Martin Enge’s group (single cell-based translational oncology), Karolinska campus Solna.

The group leader is working halftime as physician in oncology, and all projects are strongly translational.

The successful candidate will be financed by a Postdoc scholarship paid out by Karolinska Institutet. The period will be for one year starting from May 2021 or earlier.

Duties

The overarching aim is to understand the basis of cancer cell invasion, and particularly the role of cellular crosstalk at the invasion front.

Initially, the project is a direct continuation of an ongoing study that uses mouse models of pancreatic cancer liver metastases in combination with sc-RNA seq to chart the cell types and states involved in metastatic invasion. You will work with and experimentally extend a single cell atlas of tumor cells and their liver microenvironment, for which abundant data already exists. These data need to be analysed (using R) and validated in an existing, unique cohort of patients with pancreatic cancer liver metastases by RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

The results will inform functional studies based on mouse models and explant cultures. These will be used to evaluate the candidate pathways identified by sc-RNA-seq, for which a PhD student is recruited separately. The postdoc project will involve close interaction and practical supervision of parts of the student’s work.

The project initially spans one year, with the possibility of extension, particularly in case of successful external grant applications.

Skills and personal qualities

The ideal candidate is an outstanding early-career researcher who has a particular interest in performing translational research that combines different wet lab techniques, bioinformatics and clinical pathology. The project requires integrating results from these disciplines and as such demands broad knowledge and genuine interest in the fundamental research question.

Documented knowledge of general principles of data analysis in R is a particular plus for the position, as is previous experience with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry or single cell sequencing. Knowledge of histopathology is a particular merit. A medical background is a plus, but not required. Experience with laboratory animal mice is a merit.

Entry requirements

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.

A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: Flemingsberg, Huddinge

www.bionut.ki.se

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

  • 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)

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

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

Reference number STÖD 2-1722/2021
Contact
  • Marco Gerling, PI , +46-76-416 74 35
  • Thomas Tinglöv, Head of Administration, +46-8-524 835 49
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, +46-8-524 840 80
  • Anders Lindholm, OFR, +46-8-524 810 12
Published 07.Apr.2021
Last application date 28.Apr.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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