Assistant Professor in virology with a focus in mechanisms of pathogenesis in Tick-borne encephalitis virus infection

Tick-borne encephalitis virus infection is an emerging viral infectious disease. The Gredmark Russ research group at KI is studying Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in the context of viral pathogenesis and the interaction of the virus with the immune system in humans. Our research is translational and combines experimental virology and immunology with ex vivo studies on patient material as well as clinical studies and vaccination studies. The work will be performed at the Center for Infectious Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. We offer an engaging interdisciplinary research environment where you may contribute to high quality research on an internationally competitive level.

Your mission

We now wish to appoint an assistant professor to lead research on the mechanisms by which TBEV infects, and how the infection progresses, in the central nervous system (CNS). The position is research-oriented, and the successful candidate is expected to take overall responsibility for this defined research direction in collaboration with the rest of the group. The work will be initially focused on investigations on Tick-borne encephalitis virus infection and on the mechanisms by which TBEV infects, and how the infection progresses in the CNS, including the understanding on intracellular signalling upon TBEV infection. The techniques used will build on viral infections in a BSL-3 environment, with further investigations with methods such as confocal microscopy, and biochemical analysis.

The employment as Assistant Professor is time limited for 6 years with the right to apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

Eligibility requirements

We are looking for a person with a doctoral degree preferably in virology, cell biology, or molecular biology/biomedicine with publications in internationally recognized, peer-reviewed scientific journals. The person should be scientifically driven with strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate and work productively in a team. The candidate should also have a strong, documented background in virology including work in a BSL-3 environment, with experience in confocal microscopy and biochemistry such as Western blotting, and PCR.
Both written and spoken English is a requirement. The successful candidate is expected to apply for research grants and supervise doctoral students as main or co-supervisor, as well as other students.

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 seven years, normally, prior to the expiry of the application period for the position as 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:

• parental leave,
• positions of trust in trade union organizations
• mandatory service in the total defense forces
• long-term illness

Ground, dates and extent must be clearly specified in the application and verified with relevant documentation.

Appointment to the position of Assistant Professor requires good scientific skills and good pedagogical skills. (See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet).

Bases of assessment

When assessing applicants, particular emphasis is placed on scientific expertise in virology and experience of working with highly pathogenic viruses (BSL-3). Previous research experience in tick-borne encephalitis virus infection is considered meritorious. We will also place particular emphasis on on academic skills, documented research competence, strong commitment, and excellent communication skills along with personal suitability. Previous receipt of research funding is considered a merit.

For employment as Assistant Professor at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria stated in the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure are applied in relation to established profile of employment.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

What do we offer?

A creative, international and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Here, 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 good benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Flemingsberg

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why

Read more about Gredmark Russ group here

Application

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio.

Welcome to apply at the latest 26-02-02.

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

Particular assessment for promotion to Senior Lecturer

An Assistant Professor employed in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 4 Section 12a shall be promoted to Senior Lecturer if he or she is eligible for an employment as Senior Lecturer in accordance with the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet and is assessed to be suitable for such employment in accordance with the assessment criteria that KI has decided should be applied when being promoted to Senior Lecturer. The assessment criteria stated in the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet that was valid at the time of appointment as Assistant Professor will be applied when applying for promotion to Senior Lecturer. Current assessment criteria is found here. Such promotion results in a permanent position as Senior Lecturer.

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