Research Specialist in Advanced Molecular Methods

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Jens-Hjerling Leffler is searching for a committed research specialist to join his research group to establish models for investigations of how schizophrenia-associated risk genes affect neuronal gene expression during adolescence. The work is carried out at the Division of Molecular Neurobiology at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics. The overarching goal of the research is to better understand the molecular underpinnings of the neuropsychiatric disorder schizophrenia.

Description of the subject area

Studies of regulatory mechanisms and gene expression during adolescent brain development by advanced molecular methods.

Your mission

The responsibilities of the role consist of establishing advanced molecular methods such as CRISPR-based screening, design of viral vectors and single cell RNA-sequencing for applications in mouse models as well as experimental validation applying immunohistochemistry, techniques for in situ detection of RNA and epifluorescence- and confocal imaging. Supervision of junior group members and students as well as writing and publishing of scientific papers are also included in the role.

Eligibility requirements

For employment as Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements stated in the Guidelines for non-teaching positions at Karolinska Institutet are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

To be eligible for employment as a Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree, the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise as well as have documented postdoctoral research experience.

Assessment criteria

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Published peer-reviewed articles within spatial transcriptomics and development of molecular methods.
• Documented practical experience of different platforms for single cell transcriptomics.
• Good knowledge in molecular psychiatry and schizophrenia.
• Several years of postdoctoral work within advanced molecular methods.

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Documented experience of computational analysis of single cell transcriptomic data.
• Fluent in both written and spoken English.
• Excellent skills in experimental documentation.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience in data mining using the programming languages Python and R.
• Good supervision skills.
• Proven record of being awarded competitive grants.

The position involves close collaboration with both other group members and external collaborators. Therefore, emphasis is placed on personal skills such as:

• Excellent collaborative skills.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Here, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna

Application

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents:  PhD certificate, resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

Welcome to apply at the latest 2025-12-28

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

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