Postdoctoral researcher in CD8 T cell tumor immunology

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Research in the Gerlach lab is directed at understanding basic cellular and molecular principles governing CD8 T cell responses to acute infections and cancer. Using a combination of several state-of-the-art single-cell technologies we strive to understand mechanisms underlying the generation, maintenance and consequences of the heterogeneity within the T cell immune response. Our long-term goal is that this knowledge will contribute to improved vaccines and immunotherapies. The Gerlach lab is now recruiting a postdoc.

Your mission

We are recruiting a postdoc who is passionate about CD8 T cell immunity to cancer from a basic science perspective. The long-term goal is to improve the identification of tumor-specific CD8 T cells. The project employs murine tumor models and advanced flow cytometry is the main technique, together with molecular biology. The postdoc is expected to plan, perform, analyze and document experiments in a transparent manner, and to communicate the results within, between and outside of the research groups. The duties furthermore include actively taking part in research meetings and journal clubs, and contributing to the well-functioning of the local research environment.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated, initiative-taking, technically skilled person that is passionate about pursuing basic research in CD8 T cell tumorimmunology. The successful candidate must have a critical mind, a collaborative, team-oriented and collegial attitude, and the inter-personal skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with colleagues of different backgrouds. Perseverance in working towards goals, excellent planning skills that allow for a high degree of flexibility and a problem-solving attitude is required. The position furthermore requires dedication to the project, accuracy and attention to detail. The postdoc is required to be able to work both independently and as a collaborative and helpful team member. The position requires maintenance of accurate and detailed experimental records. The applicant should be scientifically curious, have a personality that fits in the group, and an internal drive to promote a collaborative atmosphere within the group.

Required qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Immunology, ideally Tumorimmunology
• At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed respected journal
• a solid theoretical and experimental background in cellular immunology, tumorimmunology and immunotherapy and relevant mouse models for studying anti-tumor T cell responses
• excellent skills in flow cytometry, experience with functional assays with primary immune cells and their handling at BSL2 level
• FELASA certification and experience in working with mice – standard injection techniques, tumors, tissue harvest and downstream processing of immune cells
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of people
• Excellent organizational, planning and communication skills, sensitivity to cross-cultural communication, and proficiency in written and spoken English
• A strong motivation to work on the described project
• Knowing your own limits of knowledge and energy and being able to communicate these to the group leaders and your peers

Desired qualifications:

• experience in CD8 T cell immunology and molecular biology
• international experience
• record of initiative taking beyond regular education program
• experience in supervision and presenting research data at international conferences

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

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. At Karolinska Institutet, 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

The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of ten divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group of Carmen Gerlach.  We are physically located in the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) on the Solna Campus of Karolinska University Hospital.

Lab websites: https://gerlachlab.com & https://ki.se/en/research/groups/diversity-within-the-t-cell-response-t-cell-memory-research-group-carmen-gerlach#tab-start

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Application

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

• PhD certificate
• 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)

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

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