Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för mikrobiologi, tumör- och cellbiologi

Department
We search for an Assistant professor that together with Professor Birgitta Henriques-Normark and her team will work on pneumococcal pathogenesis. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global health threats. Pneumococci are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality world-wide. They are one of the most common causes of respiratory tract infections such as otitis media and sinusitis as well as of severe diseases such as pneumonia, septicemia and meningitis. However, pneumococci are also common colonizers of the upper respiratory tract of healthy children. It is still not clear what determines whether the bacteria will cause a disease or just stay colonizing healthy individuals. Several virulence factors have been described and their interactions with innate immune responses are crucial in pathogenesis.

The research group focuses on host-microbe interactions with a major interest in pneumococcal infections. Together with Prof Birgitta Henriques-Normark and her team, the appointed researcher will focus on pneumococcal interactions with host factors that are important for development of invasive pneumococcal disease.

Duties
This position includes studies of interactions between pneumococci and innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells, and different host proteins. The studies aim at finding mechanisms and interactions with the host important for disease outcome. Different molecular biology in vitro techniques will be used to investigate host cellular immune responses.

The employment as Assistant Professor is time limited to 4 years with the right to apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

Eligibility requirements
Those eligible for employment as an Assistant Professor are individuals who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than five years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position of assistant professor.

Those who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence earlier may however be considered if special grounds exist. Special grounds refer to illness or parental leave.

Bases of assessment
Scientific expertise will be most important when assessing applicants. A PhD in relevant research areas (innate immune cells, host-pathogen interactions) will be given priority, and previous work on pneumococcal interactions with innate immune cells is required. Extensive experience working with relevant in vitro models and human cell cultures, especially neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells is favorable. A strong scientific track record as supported by published papers in the subject area, in well recognized peer-reviewed journals is important. Social skills are also important.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in Swedish/ English: curriculum vitae, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio).

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system

 

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer

See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet chapter 3.3

An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer. An application is submitted to the Recruitment Committee. In order to be promoted to Senior Lecturer after an assessment by the Recruitment Committee, the applicant must meet the criteria below. The Assistant Professor can choose between two different promotion tracks; promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research or promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research.

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research

Assessment criteria

  1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior lecturer with focus on research”.
  2. Grants obtained as principal applicant in national or international competition that covers the applicant’s own salary for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor. Project funding obtained in national or international competition (i.e. excellence grants obtained from the Swedish Research Council, European Research Council (ERC), Wallenberg Foundation (WAF) or Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) that covers costs for salaries, rent, materials and other project-related expenses for the research for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor.
  3. First and/or senior author of a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles published in leading international scientific journals over a number of years after dissertation, with the emphasis on the qualification period as an Assistant Professor.
  4. An independent research line deemed by independent experts and departmental management to offer excellent future potential for both the individual researcher and the department in question.
  5. A documented good ability to lead the own research group – including staff responsibility and supervision of doctoral and/or postdoctoral students. Scientific expertise is emphasized when assessing applicants including successful scientific results in a good working climate, as well as documented collaborative abilities.
  6. All experience of undertaking assignments on behalf of the scientific community – such as board membership, internal assessment committees, departmental duties, organising courses and conferences and editorships – will be considered as merits.

 

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research

Assessment criteria

  1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research”.
  2. Higher education training of 10 weeks or equivalent competence in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
  3. Independent responsibility for planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and examination at all levels, first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) -cycle study programmes and courses – to a significant extent and over a period of at least three years with documented high level of quality.
  4. Pedagogical management assignments as course director at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle level.
  5. Extensive pedagogical experience of various forms of teaching and for various groups at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle levels.
  6. Completed, nationally and internationally presented pedagogical development work resulting in improved study programmes and/or courses.
  7. A clear plan for the own pedagogical activities (including pedagogical development work) that demonstrates a high level of quality and great potential.

If the applicant is deemed to fulfil all of the above criteria, they will be assessed by two experts in their field and must meet the eligibility requirements that apply to appointments as a Senior Lecturer at Karolinska Institutet.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment enl. ök
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-1743/2019
Contact
  • Birgitta Henriques Normark, Professor, 08-517 71 216
Union representative
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
  • Daisy Hjelmqvist SACO, daisy.hjelmqvist@ki.se
Published 15.Mar.2019
Last application date 24.Mar.2019 11:59 PM CET

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