Karolinska Institutet, NVS

The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. NVS educates almost a third of KI students at basic and advanced levels. The Department has approximately 540 employees and a revenue 2023 of 530 million SEK. It comprises seven divisions, located at Campus Flemingsberg and Campus Solna.

Division
The Division of Neurogeriatrics consits of 16 research groups and approximately 90 employees whereof approximately 20 are PhD students. Our research is focused on Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, and is strongly oriented towards translating findings from basic research into clinical practice.

Duties
The 3’UTR Biology group’s goal is to develop novel therapeutic approaches by fine-tuning the expression of a gene selectively in cells that naturally express the gene of interest. Specifically, we manipulate the 3’UTR of target genes.

At Karolinska Institutet the laboratory’s primary goal is to develop treatment for currently incurable neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. More specifically, we aim to study how increase in endogenous beta-amyloid impacts Alzheimer’s disease etiology and investigate how upregulation of endogenous genes which control proteostasis, mitochondrial and neurotrophic functions impact AD etiology in mice. For this, our laboratory received funding from Center of Innovative Medicine (CIMED). The 3’UTR Biology group is located at the Karolinska Institute south campus in Flemmingsberg, but part of the research activities are carried out at the Solna campus. 

The successful candidate will independently and in collaboration with other research groups lead and execute research on the utilization of gene’s untranslated regions using conventional and CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene targeting to gain control over gene expression levels. More specifically the goal is to control expression of genes regulating mitochondrial function, proteostasis and neurotrophic faunctions. In addition, research focuses on the generation and analysis of knock-in mice, which carry three Alzheimer’s disease patient derived mutations known as NLGF, where endogenous App expression can be conditionally modulated using CRE recombinase. Using those tools and the existing App-NLGF knock-in mouse lines the research aims to identify treatment for AD in mouse models. The research will also generate and utilize EGFP knock-in reporter cell lines to characterize mRNA domains responsible for mRNA stability and or translation using custom-made gRNA libraries. The research involves histological, behavioral, molecular and omics analysis of the above mouse models and supervision of post-doctoral fellows, PhD and MSc students. Besides mice, C. elegans animal model is used in particular to enhance understanding on how aging affects gene expression levels via untranslated regions. Researcher will be the responsible project leader also for these studies. FELASA C or similar competence is required. Finally, research involves organizing and analysis of human samples for measurements of GDNF levels. Organization of relevant ethical permissions will be one of the responsibilities of the Researcher.

We now want to expand the group with a researcher, a 50 % permanent position. The applicant is expected to work at both KI campuses, Flemingsberg and Solna.

Entry requirements
A person is eligible to be appointed Senior Researcher if he or she has been awarded a Degree of Doctor or has achieved the corresponding scientific competence, as well as documented research after publicly defending his or her doctoral thesis corresponding to qualification as Assistant professor. In addition to this, displayed pedagogical proficiency or other related skills that are relevant to the appointment's duties may be required to be eligible.

Qualifying is practical experience in generation and analysis of knock-in mouse models, in vivo 3’UTR targeting, behavioral studies, electrophysiological measurements, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence techniques and gene expression analysis using qPCR and omics based approaches. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English and the ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.

Bases of assessment: We stress research expertise when assessing applicants. The successful candidate must have a distinguished record of publications in the field of 3’ UTR biology, neurotrophic factors and animal models of premature aging. Very good English skills in speaking and writing are a requirement for the position.

Bases of assessment
We stress research expertise when assessing applicants.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English: Curriculum vitae, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio). 

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

At Karolinska Institutet a 6-month trial period is required for all permanent appointments.

Type of employment Permanent position
Contract type Part-time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 50%
City Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-245/2019
Contact
  • Maria Staiger, HR-Officer, , 08-524 837 79, maria.staiger@ki.se
  • Maria Ankarcrona, Head of Division, Professor, 08-585 836 17, Maria.Ankarcrona@ki.se
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65, carina.eklund@ki.se
  • Agneta Öhlen, SACO, 08-524 837 53, Agneta.Ohlen@ki.se
Published 14.Jan.2019
Last application date 04.Feb.2019 11:59 PM CET

Return to job vacancies