Institutionen för medicin, Solna, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit

The Department of Medicine, Solna, is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet. The department consists of several divisions that are separated into different research groups. The core activities of the department are research, doctoral education and undergraduate education for medical and biomedical students. The research has three main profiles: allergy, cardiovascular medicine and inflammatory diseases.

Research group
The Allergy and Immunology Unit at the Department of Medicine, Solna performs research on different aspect of allergy and autoimmune diseases. Our research group (PI: Eduardo Villablanca) will develop new in vivo models to study the function of genes associated with autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In particular, we aim to establish zebrafish as an in vivo model to study cellular process affected during IBD with the final goal to translate this knowledge to mouse model and eventually to human. Our group works in an inspiring and interactive research environment at the Karolinska University, Solna and has ongoing collaborative projects with national and international colleagues.

Duties
Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have been instrumental to link genes and pathways to the etiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In addition, the environment plays a critical role triggering disease in genetically susceptible individuals. However, the molecular and cellular mechanism affected by either genetic susceptibility, the environment or both are still unresolved. The goal of this project is to generate in vivo models to study genes function and the environment in immunological processes, which malfunction might lead to IBD. We have generated CRISPR mutant zebrafish lines targeting IBD-risk genes with unknown function. The successful candidate will characterizes these mutants and validate her/his finding in mouse models and human samples. The candidate will also generate IBD reporters to visualize immunological processes associated to IBD in the context of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. In summary, our proposal aim to generate and characterize zebrafish models of IBD. This new knowledge will provide much-needed insights into aspects of intestinal homeostasis that may lead to novel cellular therapies to treat IBD.

Entry requirements
Our lab has an opening for a highly creative and motivated postdoctoral scientist with an interest in mucosal immunology. We look for a candidate with proficiency and documented laboratory research experience particularly in molecular biology, in vivo imaging and genetic manipulation in zebrafish. The candidate is expected to work with both zebrafish and mouse models of intestinal inflammation. Experience in bioinformatics and RNA-seq analysis would be an advantage. The position will require independent work at the laboratory as well as extensive collaboration with other experimental groups. Fluency in both oral and written English is necessary. Documented ability to analyze and present results orally and written is important.

Scholarships for carrying out postdoctoral research may be granted to persons living in other countries who come to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships from KI. The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish PhD or higher.

Type of scholarship
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. This educational scholarship is tax-exempt. The amount is set for twelve months at a time and is paid out on a monthly basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English:

  1. Curriculum vitae and qualifications, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/meritportfolj )
  2. A complete list of publications
  3. A summary of current work (no more than one page)
  4. Verifications for crediting of illness, military service, work for labour unions or studentorganisations, parental leave or similar circumstances

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

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
Reference number 2-1852/2017
Contact
  • Eduardo Villablanca, eduardo.villablanca@ki.se
Union representative
  • Lars Ährlund-Richter, SACO, 08 - 5177 34 50, lars.ahrlund@ki.se
  • Nasrin Bavand-Chobot, OFR, Nasrin.Bavand@ki.se
Published 18.Apr.2017
Last application date 14.May.2017 11:59 PM CEST

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