Postdoctoral Researcher - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Come and join us at the Research Unit of Molecular Neurobiology at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm. In the research group led by Professor Goncalo Castelo-Branco , we are particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms defining the transcriptomic and epigenomic states of oligodendrocyte lineage cells, with the aim to design epigenetic based-therapies to prevent and treat neuroinflammation in demyelinating diseases.

Your mission

Our research group has performed single-cell/spatial omics studies, identifying for instance several cell states within the oligodendrocyte lineage in development and disease (Science 2016, Dev Cell 2018, Nature Medicine 2018, Nature 2019, Nature Biotechnology 2021, 2022, Neuron 2022, Nature 2023, among others). Our recent findings suggest that oligodendrocyte lineage cells might present other functional properties than previously thought, transitioning for instance to disease-associated states. In addition, our results also suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with multiple sclerosis susceptibility might be operational in oligodendrocyte lineage cells. 

The successful candidate will play a leading role in a limited-term (5 years) full-time research project funded by the European Research Council Advanced Grant, focused on studying the functional role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the oligodendroglia lineage and its implication in multiple sclerosis. The multidisciplinary project involves in-vivo work, master molecular biology, master-cell culture techniques, flow cytometry/cell sorting and single-cell & spatial omics.  

Your profile

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

We are looking for a highly motivated, driven, inquisitive, enthusiastic person interested in our area of research, and ready to explore new avenues in science. The candidate should have a strong collaborative approach to research, be a team player as capable of working independently and contribute to a good social environment in the laboratory.  The candidate must have a PhD in medical sciences, immunology, or neurosciences, or equivalent (this requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision). It is desirable to have previous research experience in a multidisciplinary international environment in at least one (but not necessarily all) of the areas listed below:

• Experience in neuroimmunology and/or immune diseases, in particular, animal models of multiple sclerosis (with a FELASA certificate)
• Experience in multiparametric flow cytometry/cell sorting
• Culturing human pluripotent stem cell lines and mouse cell lines, differentiation to neural lineages, and cell transplantation
• Molecular biology techniques
• Confocal microscopy and histology.

Previous experience in single-cell RNA sequencing and/or spatial transcriptomics data management, preprocessing and analysis will be looked upon positively.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Our research group is based at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB), at the Karolinska Institutet (KI), Stockholm, Sweden, within the Unit of Molecular Neurobiology. This Unit has presently eight research groups, focused on omics technologies and several aspects of development, stem cell biology, neuroscience and cancer, providing a unique critical mass and expertise, and vibrant scientific environment. 

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 successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles to several benefits such as extended holidays and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Solna

Application

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

• A personal letter highlighting previous accomplishments and technical expertise and why the candidate is interested in joining the host lab (no more than one page)
• A complete curriculum vitae (max 3 pages)
• 1 letter of reference 

Welcome to apply at the latest 2024-01-31

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

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