Postdoctoral Researcher in antiviral compounds

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Within our research group you will find a unique opportunity to work closely together with cutting edge researchers in the intersection between infectious diseases, antiviral treatment, antiviral immunity, and viral pathogenesis. We offer an engaging and international research environment where you may contribute to high quality research on an internationally competitive level.

Our research group has a strong focus on pathogenesis, immunity, treatment, prophylaxis, and cure of HIV infection. It works in a true translational fashion. Recently, we also initiated perform research on SARS-CoV-2. Of special interest is our interest in the evaluation of novel antiviral compounds and HIV cure. The experimental research of the present post-doctoral position is focused on: i) in vitro and ex vivo evaluation of compounds which exhibit antiretroviral properties; ii) studies on the role of mucin gels in combination with antivirals as preprophylaxis against HIV-1 and other sexual transmitted infections; iii) HIV latency/persistence including HIV cure.

Your mission

The successful applicant will perform his/her tasks in the experimental research group of Professor Anders Sönnerborg. The research group consists of both experimental and clinical researchers facilitating translational research. The main working tasks will be on: i) evaluation in vitro and ex vivo of the properties of compounds for regulation of HIV latency/replication; ii) for prophylaxis against sexually transmitted infections using mucin gels in combination with novel antivirals; iii) drug resistance to new antiretrovirals is expected to be explored, including mechanisms, pathways, efficacy, and resistance development. The applicant will perform own research within the framework of Professor Sönnerborg’s and research specialist Dr Rafael Cena-Diaz´s HIV projects. The projects will be discussed and decided on in detail together with the applicant. He/she will also give intellectual and administrative support to other members of the research group.

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.

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown:

Knowledge in biology with a focus on virology, especially HIV, and the pathogenesis of viral diseases.
Knowledge of evaluation of anti-viral efficacy in vitro with special focus on HIV
Knowledge in evaluation of antiviral prophylaxis with special focus on sexually transmitted infections.
Knowledge in antimicrobial resistance with special focus on anti-retroviral resistance.
Knowledge in modern biotechnological techniques to be used for the description of viral pathogenesis.
Experience of research in BSL-2 laboratory facilities
Experience of research in BSL-3 laboratory facilities
Experience in setting up virological assays to evaluate antiviral efficacy, and host responses.
Experience in setting up assays for evaluation of efficacy of microbicides.
Skills in the following techniques: i) cell culture systems; both cell lines, primary cells and co- cultures, immune cell isolation from peripheral blood, cellular functionality assays, transfections; ii) antiviral assays; iii) other techniques; DNA/RNA isolation from tissues or cells, ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assays, PCR, quantitative PCR, SDS PAGE, western blotting, proteomics.
Excellent knowledge in English, written and spoken, is a requirement.
The person should be well organized, service-oriented, and flexible.
A positive and collaborative attitude is a pre-requisite for working in the Sönnerborg group and a great emphasize is put on the collaborative attitude of the applicant. Thus, of importance is that the candidate is well acquainted with collaborative work in a dynamic international environment which includes strong social skills.

A strong publication list as first or last author in international peer-reviewed articles.

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown:

Knowledge of the impact of microbiota on effects of antiviral drugs and microbiocides
Knowledge in various cellular and molecular techniques that allow genetic modification of cells ranging from cloning to transduction experiments.
Experience of teaching students
Experienceofcollaborationwithclinicalresearchers
Recent or ongoing approved grants obtained in competition.

What do we offer?

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

Location: Flemingsberg

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why

Application

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

A complete resumé, 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)

Welcome to apply at the latest 2023-06-28.

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

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