Postdoctoral studies in Computation single-cell RNA Biology (scholarship)

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? 

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. MTC has about 40 research groups and our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.

Our group combines experimental and computational work, and aims to develop and apply novel genome-wide techniques to address fundamental biological questions with medical implications. We are especially interested in how subtle variations in gene expression can lead to differential cellular phenotypes and are passionate about RNA biology (http://pelechanolab.com/). You will have the opportunity to work in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment and combine the development of state-of-the art genome-wide approaches with the molecular dissection of fundamental biological problems.

Are you interested in mRNA fate and localization? Would you like to develop cutting-edge computational tools to study RNA localization and increase our understanding of RNA life? Come and join us at SciLifeLab.

Division

Our laboratory is located at the Science for Life Laboratory division from MTC (SciLifeLab, http://www.scilifelab.se/) in the Karolinska Institute campus. SciLifeLab is equiped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and core facilities. Our division is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and developing cutting- edge technologies in the fields of molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics.

Duties

The available postdoctoral position concerns developing and applying novel computational approaches to study gene expression and RNA localization. The candidate will focus on the development of novel RNA methods for the understanding the role of mRNA isoforms in diversifying mRNA subcellular localization. The candidate will integrate different computational approaches for the completion of the project, including  long-read sequencing, spatial transcriptomic and different NGS methodologies and pipelines in different human cell models. This will include the study of the localized translation regulation and other related processes in response to environmental and drug perturbations using novel tools that our laboratory has recently developed. The candidate will perform original research in transcriptomics and computational biology, and acquire the required experimental and computational skills necessary for the completion of the project. The candidate is expected to communicate the scientific results by writing up scientific papers and attending scientific meetings. The ideal candidate will participate in the general duties of the team and effectively communicate with scientists of very diverse backgrounds in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment. Working language is English.

Entry requirements

Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their postdoctoral research 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.

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. 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.

In addition to the aforementioned requirements for the position:

• Experience in interpreting biological data with a strong interest in interdisciplinary technology development.
• Suitable candidates should have extensive experience with computational approaches and NGS analysis.
• Research experience with large-scale analyses and bioinformatics (NGS, RNA variant analysis, Python, batch and/or R scripting languages) is also necessary. 
• Experience in interpreting biological data and experimentally testing their hypothesis with a strong interest in interdisciplinary technology development. 
• Extensive experience with long read sequencing and  spatial transcriptomics.
• Experience in RNA biology, with focus in alternative splicing and UTR usage.
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary technology development, and novel and creative thinking abilities are essential.

Candidates should have a high-quality publication list, good knowledge of English (spoken and written) and motivation to study underlying mechanisms of gene regulation in eukaryotes. In the appointment, special weight will be attached to scientific skill of relevance to the project and to previous research experience. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams is essential.

Meritorious for the position:

• Previous experience in neurobiology and/or cell lineage tracing.  

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. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical 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. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.

Location: Solna

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