Bioinformatic focused Postdoctoral Researcher for Integrated Multi-Omics Analyses of Human Atherosclerosis - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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Research Group Vascular Surgery

The prospective postdoctoral researcher will be integrated in the Vascular Surgery research group, MMK, KI. The Vascular Surgery group lead by Prof Ulf Hedin, MD, PhD is dedicated to translational and clinical research on vascular diseases and pathological vascular conditions. The Group is situated at the new BioClinicum building and consists of ~20 members including 5 PIs, researchers, clinicians, PhD students and technical staff. For more information about the Group and research activities, please visit: https://ki.se/en/mmk/vascular-surgery
Within the Vascular Surgery research group, the Team Translational Vascular Medicine led by PI Ass Prof Ljubica Matic, MSc, PhD is specialized in molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and vascular injury. This Team gathers several PhD students and postdocs and more information can be found at: https://www.cmm.ki.se/ljubica-matic-team

The vascular diseases and conditions addressed in our research are atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease as well as restenosis after vascular interventions. Altogether these conditions contribute to the high overall cardiovascular mortality, dominated by complications of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction or stroke. In order to better understand the development and progression of vascular disease, our aim is to dissect and explore the cellular behavior and molecular pathways in complex vascular tissues. Over the past decade we have, in collaboration together with the Vascular Surgery Clinic, Karolinska assembled several large biobanks of human and murine vascular tissues (i.e. BiKE-Biobank of Karolinska Endarterectomies; STAAAB-Stockholm Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Biobank; BiRCA-Biobank of Rat Carotid Artery injury, etc.). Our platform enables large-scale multivariate analyses of gene and protein expression from vascular lesions and blood, combined with genetic and clinical parameters, as well as follow up studies in animal and cell culture models of vascular injury and disease.

The project and duties of the postdoc

This postdoc position is announced within the framework of a collaboration between the Vascular Surgery Group, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet and Cardiovascular Research and Translation Science units of Novo Nordisk, Denmark. Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 95 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat obesity, haemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 42,200 people in 80 countries and markets its products in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube.

This project is part of a comprehensive translational research effort to improve prevention and treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease, in particular atherosclerosis. The overall goal of the proposed project, with Prof Ulf Hedin as the Ass Prof Ljubica Matic as PIs, is to perform integrated large-scale multi-omics analyses of the human vascular samples, with the aim to develop novel targets/pathways that can be evaluated for treatment of atherosclerosis. More specifically, comparative integrated analyses will be conducted of genetic polymorphisms (SNPs), mRNA and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts, as well as proteins and metabolites from several hundreds of samples, in a complex systems biology approach.

The project will be based on generation of various omics datasets followed by bioinformatic studies on both basic individual and integrated omics level, to find signature molecules and pathways determining outcome. Importantly, the work will practically encompass exploration and setting up of suitable statistical methods for multi-omics, layered network analyses and visualization of results, with focus on clinical symptomatic and asymptomatic phenotype prediction. Interpretation of the new biological knowledge, selection of candidates and bioinformatic evaluation of newly selected candidates in publicly available datasets will also be performed.

The project holds translational potential in opening new opportunities for improved treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease, but also carries considerable novelty in the research field. We offer a position in one of the leading groups in the field of vascular disease with an excellent network of international collaborators and longstanding experience in translational science. The project will be conducted in a multidisciplinary environment at the interface between academia and big pharma industry, where resources and expertise in medicine, biology, clinical patient material processing and bioinformatics support will be available. However, excellent bioinformatic skills, strong incentive for development of novel integrative bioinformatic methods and high work dedication will be necessary for successfully conducting the project

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.

Specific qualifications and abilities

The suitable candidate should have a strong bioinformatic background, programming skills and interest in the complex pathophysiology of vascular diseases. We are looking for a highly motivated person that should be dedicated to full time research, have the potential to work both independently and within a translational team, and manage the close collaboration between academia and industry. The postdoc will be part of a growing team of bioinformaticians, in the position to manage different collaborations and future contact with core facilities for omics analyses. The daily presence at work will be required despite the computational nature of analyses. Advanced experience in several different types of omics bioinformatic analyses and programming will be assessed as highly meritorious.

The appointed person will be expected to plan, perform, analyze and interpret results independently and within the Team, present at congresses, and participate in national/international collaboration networks. Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project demands and milestones as agreed within a Team is necessary. Being able to organise and prioritise own work, as well as organising research within the project timetable and planned deliverables is essential. Maintaining accurate and up to date records is necessary. Fluency in English is a requirement, knowledge of Swedish is not necessary but will be considered advantageous. Good social and analytical skills are essential. Ability to travel to other countries is essential and possibilities will exist for conducting research visits to the Novo Nordisk site in Copenhagen. 

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

Assessment criteria 

A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the following basis proposed by the Karolinska Institutet:
- Documented research experience and analytical skills
- Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research
- Scientific articles and a track record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to manage complex projects both independently and within collaborations, particularly at the interface between clinical and laboratory staff, as well as between academia and pharmaceutical industry
- Experience and ability to supervise students and undertake teaching activities

The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis. Personal suitability is an important criterion.

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English:

• 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 xxx

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

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