Two positions, as computational biologist and as a bioinformatician, at the unit of Molecular Neurobiology

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Applications for computational biologist and bioinformatician positions are welcome at the unit of Molecular Neurobiology (MBB), at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. One position will be as a core bioinformatician at the Gonçalo Castelo-Branco research group and the other position will be for a post-doctoral project, joint with Ana Mendanha Falcao’s group (also at University of Minho, Portugal).

Your mission

The successful candidates will be actively working in specific projects with single-cell and bulk transcriptomics and epigenomics, and will be integrated in a multidisciplinary team comprising computational, molecular and cellular biologists. The core bioinformatician will also work on web development, data curation, handling of data integration and visualization frameworks, among other tasks.

Your profile

We are looking for highly motivated, driven, inquisitive, enthusiastic persons interested in our area of research, and ready to explore new avenues in science. The candidates should have a collaborative approach to research, working productively in a team and contributing to a good social environment in the laboratory.

The applicants must have at least a Master in bioinformatics and computational biology (for the core bioinformatician position) or PhD degree (for the post-doctoral bioinformatician position), and strong programming skills (R and/or Python and/or others), UNIX and LINUX systems knowledge, familiarity with data science a big data. Research experience and expertise in analysis of sequencing data is highly desirable. Wet lab experience is not required but it is an advantage for the postdoctoral bioinformatician position.

Note: qualification to be employed for the postdoctoral position is a doctoral degree or equivalent scientific competence. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. 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 a 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 holiday and generous occupational pension. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

The Unit of Molecular Neurobiology has presently seven research groups, focused on several aspects of development, stem cell biology, neuroscience and cancer, providing a unique critical mass and expertize, and vibrant scientific environment.

The Castelo-Branco research group is interested in the molecular mechanisms defining the epigenetic state of cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage. We are focused on how interplay between transcription factors, non-coding RNAs and chromatin modifying enzymes contribute to the transition between states within the oligodendrocyte lineage, with the aim to design epigenetic based-therapies to induce regeneration (remyelination) in demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Our research group has performed single nuclei/cell RNA-Seq and identified several cell states within the oligodendrocyte lineage in development and disease (Science 2016, Dev Cell 2018, Nature Medicine 2018, Nature 2019). Our findings suggest that oligodendrocyte lineage cells might present other functional properties than previously thought.

Dr. Ana Mendanha Falcão has recently established her research group, which is focusing on the role of the choroid plexus in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Her team aims to investigate the choroid plexus as a source of biologically active molecules to the central nervous system, in order to influence disease dynamics. The choroid plexus will be studied as an alternative target for disease therapies since it can be modulated by peripheral blood and it can substantially alter the brain composition both in terms of biologically active molecules and immune cell content.

Location: Biomedicum, Solna (Stockholm, Sweden)

https://ki.se/en/mbb/goncalo-castelo-branco-group

http://www.icvs.uminho.pt/about-icvs/people/analuisafalcao

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English:

A complete curriculum vitae, 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 personal letter highlighting previous scientific accomplishments, technical expertize and why the candidate is interested in joining the host lab (no more than one page)
Two reference letters (to be uploaded in Varbi if already available, or to be sent directly to Goncalo.Castelo-Branco@ki.se after the first selection round)

Welcome to apply at the latest February 17th 2020

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

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