Postdoctoral studies in translational control of tumor immunology (scholarship) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Research group
The Department of Oncology-Pathology is searching for a post-doctoral fellow to work with Drs Ola Larsson and Charlotte Rolny to study the role of mRNA translation in macrophages during tumor development. The project is funded from grants awarded to Ola Larsson and Charlotte Rolny. More detail about the group can be found at, http://ki.se/onkpat/ola-larssons-forskargrupp; https://ki.se/en/onkpat/charlotte-rolnys-group

Description of the project
One of the major challenges in anti-cancer therapy is to restrict invasiveness and metastatic dissemination. It is well established that Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs) are linked to tumor progression and poor survival. Therefore, shifting tumor-promoting macrophages towards a tumor-inhibitory phenotype is a therapeutic strategy. Rolny’s group mainly studies mechanisms underlying inflammation-induced tumor growth, metastasis and local invasion in breast carcinoma and glioma.  Translation of mRNA into proteins is an essential step in the gene expression pathway which can dramatically and selectively affect protein levels. Altered selective translation has emerged as an important step during tumor progression. The Larsson group focuses how translation is dysregulated in cancer and if such regulation contributes to patient outcome. Such knowledge could allow for future therapies targeting faulty translation in cancer. Preliminary results from the Rolny and Larsson groups indicate that mRNA translation underlies TAM phenotypes. The post doctoral project aims to understand how this occurs and its role in fueling tumor growth and metastatic dissemination.

Qualifications of the applicant
The ideal candidate is highly motivated, with an outstanding completed PhD thesis (or equivalent) and a strong drive for a future career in research. The candidate should be capable of generating novel ideas, acquire knowledge independently and possess sufficient computational skills to evaluate and develop ongoing projects.  It is preferable that the applicant has a background in tumor immunology and/or mRNA translation. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. At least one paper in a high quality international peer-reviewed journal is necessary to be considered and additional academic merits are also considered. Because of the scope of the project, knowledge and experience in animal work, flow cytometry analysis and confocal microscopy imaging is required. Previous experience with the most common molecular biology techniques including cloning of genes of interest, lenti-virus production, western blot analysis, qPCR etc. is essential. Experience in analysis of large scale gene expression data sets is an advantage and knowledge in post-transcriptional mechanisms for regulation of gene expression is also a strong merit. In addition, personal suitability will be a factor in the selection process.

To qualify, the applicant must hold a doctor’s degree in molecular biology or tumor immunology or similar (or a foreign qualification deemed equivalent to a doctorate). Applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the last date for applications should be given priority. Candidates who have completed their degree earlier than this should receive equal priority if special grounds exist.
A scholarship for the pursuit of postdoctoral studies may be awarded to a person who comes from a country outside of Sweden, and whose intent is to stay in Sweden for his or her entire, or partial, postdoctoral education.
The head of the department decides whether the applicant’s education and scientific qualifications will be regarded as equivalent to (or higher than) a Swedish doctorate. Scholarships may not be given to anyone who in the two years before the proposed award of the scholarship has received a salary or remuneration from Karolinska Institutet. A condition for scholarship for the pursuit of postdoctoral studies is that the scholarship holder is centrally registered as a postdoc.

Type of scholarship
Karolinska Institutet awards scholarships to pursue postdoctoral studies.  This educational scholarship, which is paid for a maximum of two years within four years after the receipt of a PhD or the equivalent, is tax-exempt.

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

• A personal letter and curriculum vitae clearly indicating why the applicant fulfills skills and personal qualities indicated above.
• A copy of degree certificates and associated certificates
• A copy of degree projects and any previous publications

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