Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Division
Division of Clinical Geriatrics consist of a multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of translational Alzheimer 's disease (AD) research using cutting-edge technology with aims to develop new diagnostic biomarkers and new treatment strategies in AD.

Duties
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated scientist who is interested in working in a multi- disciplinary team at the forefront of translational Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. Our group aims to use encapsulated cell (EC Biodelivery) implants releasing nerve growth factor (NGF) to support degenerating cholinergic neurons in patients with AD leading to a disease-modifying/curative therapy.

We will explore in vitro studies using cells utilized in ECB-NGF or ECB-BDNF implants to improve their functionality and study the effects of various molecules on them, with relevance to AD brain. We will also conduct in-vivo studies using the implants to characterize whether NGF or BDNF have neurorestorative effects in the basal forebrain and hippocampus in a novel mouse model of AD (APP-knockin mice). The ECB device will be surgically implanted in various brain regions of APP-knockin mice and wild type controls. The stimulation by NGF and/or BDNF signaling will be explored both prior to and after pathology has developed to test the potential therapy in both a preventive and a therapeutic setting. Studies will also be conducted to understand glial cells activity in the APP-knockin brain tissues before and after ECB implantation releasing NGF, BDNF or both. Contribution from and effects on neuro-inflammation and cholinergic signaling will also be studied.

The environment provides excellent post-doctoral training in an international working environment, with national and international collaborations, and possibilities to publish in high impact journals.

Entry requirements
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate within the area of biomedical research with experience in handling clinical samples, working with rodents, neurochemistry, and particular assays like ELISA, immunochemistry, confocal microscopy, multi-color Flow-Cytometry, PCR, cytokine profiling, western blotting and cell culture (primary cell culture and various cell lines). The candidate should have a strong interest in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous experience in enzymology, immunology (T-cell), cell-sorting, rodent-surgery, ex-vivo whole blood assay is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will also be expected to have established record of high-quality scientific research and publications, ability to work both independently and as a member of a collaborative, scientific team, excellent verbal and written English skills, and to write and apply for grants.

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
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.

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) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: Karolinska Institutet Campus Flemingsberg

Type of scholarship
The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

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

  • 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 summary of current work (no more than one page)

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

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

Reference number 2-953/2020
Contact
  • Homira Behbahani, Associate Professor , +46 70-4332091, Homira.Behbahani@ki.se
  • Maria Eriksdotter, Professor, Dean KI South, maria.eriksdotter@ki.se
  • Maria Staiger, HR supervisor, maria.staiger@ki.se
Union representative
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, +46 8-524 840 80
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, +46 8-585 826 65
Published 19.Feb.2020
Last application date 12.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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