Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching in immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. Key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, translational, national and international collaborations.

Division

The Schlisio lab at Karolinska Institute, Sweden, seeks a postdoctoral fellow to work on molecular principles of tumor formation arising from the sympathoadrenal cell lineage (neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma) to explore cell of origin, disease initiation and tumor heterogeneity.

Your mission

We are seeking a motivated, creative post-doctoral candidate interested in tumor mouse models arising from the sympathoadrenal lineage, such as neuroblastoma (NB) and pheochromocytoma (PCC), with the aim to understand the molecular principles of these tumors at a previously unprecedented level. The neuroblastoma cell of origin is thought to be a developing sympathoblast, however, its precise cell of origin remains unknown. Single cell transcriptomics will identify gene expression clusters that are prominent in specific embryonic sympathoadrenal developmental stages in NB and PCC. Identifying the cell(s) of NB/PCC origin and their temporal development will provide mechanistic insight into: disease initiation, heterogeneity, progression, clinical behavior and spontaneous NB regression.

The project involves novel neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma animal models that are generated in our lab to investigate the dynamics of tumor formation in a single cell mode to compare events in the early tumor with already defined trajectory. This approach may explain the role of known mutations and will help to devise new tumor-differentiating strategies in vivo.

We are currently addressing the following questions:

  • Understanding the clinical heterogeneity of neuroblastoma: What distinguishes the “favorable” vs the “unfavorable” neuroblastoma?
  • What unique signatures can be found in the spontaneously regressing neuroblastoma?
  • Do neuroblastoma types represent regulatory patterns in early or late embryonic sympathoblast/crest populations?
  • Can we identify cell-of-origin subpopulations for neuroblastoma initiation?

Your profile

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.

Successful applicants must have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a group and have good English communication skills.

What do we offer?

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 better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Solna

For more information about the group and suggested reading

Information of the group http://ki.se/en/people/suschl 

Suggested readings:

Bedoya-Reina OC, Li W, Arceo M, Plescher M, Pui H, Kaucka M,
Kharchenko P, Martinsson T, Holmberg J, Adameyko I, Deng Q, Larsson C,
Juhlin C, Kogner P and SCHLISIO S.

Single-nuclei transcriptomes from human adrenal gland reveals distinct cellular
identities of low and high-risk neuroblastoma tumors.
Accepted and forthcoming May 2021, Nature Communications
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.26.437162v1

Bedoya-Reina OC, SCHLISIO S.

Chromaffin Cells with Sympathoblast Signature: Too Similar to Keep Apart?
Cancer Cell. 2020 Dec 28:S1535-6108(20)30657-7.
doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2020.12.009.

Application

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

  • A complete resumé, 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)

Welcome to apply at the latest 2021-06-21

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

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 According to agreement
Salary Månadslön
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-2762/2021
Contact
  • Susanne Schlisio, susanne.schlisio@ki.se
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, taher.darreh-shori@ki.se
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, carina.eklund@ki.se
Published 07.Jun.2021
Last application date 26.Aug.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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