Assistant Professor in characterization of molecular and cellular aspects of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Department
The Department of Neuro conducts research in neurological diseases, brain and spinal cord injuries. The group of Translational Neuropharmacology includes mainly molecular biologists, biochemists and medical doctors performing research under supervision of professor Per Svenningsson (https://ki.se/en/ cns/per-svenningssons-research-group). The aim of the research is further elucidation of factors underlying Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease and depression, with additional focus on the role of immune system in their etiology. The research extends widely from basic to clinical research, which facilitates the translation of basic findings into clinical, in order to discover prospective therapies for PD patients. The strength of the group lies in the fact that this translational opportunity is combined with methodological expertise in genetics, radiology and protein science.

Duties
The position is directed to research. Over the course of the Assistant Professor appointment the successful candidate will be responsible for experimental design, analysis and interpretation of results. The candidate will be involved in preparing recombinant proteins (like α-synuclein and GPR37) from different sources, connected to Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. The candidate will need to analyse their purity and perform different assays on purified proteins, including e.g. protein-protein interaction, protein aggregation, ligand screenings connected with mass spectrometry protein identification, etc. Moreover, the successful candidate will be responsible for quantitative analysis of neurotransmitters, both in human and animal samples, using HPLC method. Beside above, the person will also be involved in screening of human CSF against biomarkers for Parkinson´s disease and their further validation using methods such as: WB, ELISA and mass spectroscopy approaches. Furthermore, the chosen candidate will collaborate with a group specialized in mass spectroscopy imaging, to develop novel methods for human sample screening and to perform analysis of selected samples against small molecules as candidates for novel biomarkers against Parkinson’s disease. The applicant will also be expected to investigate selected targets and discover their role in pathology using cell culture approaches.

Additionally, the candidate will serve as mentors for undergraduate and master students, as well as co-mentor for Ph.D. students, in addition to participating in group meetings and journal clubs. The applicant will be expected to work well independently and as part of a team, establishing and maintaining collaborations. They should be motivated to work in an international and multidisciplinary research group. Applicant shall also be responsible for interactions with other collaborators important for the project area.

The employment as Assistant Professor is time limited for 4 years with the right to apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

Eligibility requirements
Those eligible for employment as an Assistant Professor are individuals who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than five years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position of assistant professor.

Those who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence earlier may however be considered if special grounds exist. Special grounds refer to illness or parental leave.

In addition to the general qualifications required above applicants should have a Ph.D. degree in the field of neuroscience and/or protein biochemistry/biophysics. A strong background in protein purification and characterization is a must, preferably including targets from the neuroscience field. Experience with wide range of biophysical methods including: mass spectrometry, FPLC/HPLC, SPR, EM, spectroscopic methods and handling of human samples together with skills in large data analysis is highly desired. Candidates with skills in cell culture, confocal and/or fluorescence microscopy are preferred. Good communication skills and proficiency in both spoken and written English is required.

Bases of assessment
For Assistant Professor with focus on research:

Scientific expertise will be most important when assessing applicants.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in Swedish/ 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

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer

See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet chapter 3.3

An Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer. An application is submitted to the Recruitment Committee. In order to be promoted to Senior Lecturer after an assessment by the Recruitment Committee, the applicant must meet the criteria below. The Assistant Professor can choose between two different promotion tracks; promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research or promotion to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research.

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Research

Assessment criteria

1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior lecturer with focus on research”.
2. Grants obtained as principal applicant in national or international competition that covers the applicant’s own salary for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor. Project funding obtained in national or international competition (i.e. excellence grants obtained from the Swedish Research Council, European Research Council (ERC), Wallenberg Foundation (WAF) or Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) that covers costs for salaries, rent, materials and other project-related expenses for the research for at least two years from the final date of employment as an Assistant Professor.
3. First and/or senior author of a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles published in leading international scientific journals over a number of years after dissertation, with the emphasis on the qualification period as an Assistant Professor.
4. An independent research line deemed by independent experts and departmental management to offer excellent future potential for both the individual researcher and the department in question.
5. A documented good ability to lead the own research group – including staff responsibility and supervision of doctoral and/or postdoctoral students. Scientific expertise is emphasized when assessing applicants including successful scientific results in a good working climate, as well as documented collaborative abilities.
6. All experience of undertaking assignments on behalf of the scientific community – such as board membership, internal assessment committees, departmental duties, organising courses and conferences and editorships – will be considered as merits.

Promotion of Assistant Professor to Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research

Assessment criteria

1. Senior Lecturer expertise according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for “Senior Lecturer with focus on Education and research”.
2. Higher education training of 10 weeks or equivalent competence in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
3. Independent responsibility for planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and examination at all levels, first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) -cycle study programmes and courses – to a significant extent and over a period of at least three years with documented high level of quality.
4. Pedagogical management assignments as course director at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle level.
5. Extensive pedagogical experience of various forms of teaching and for various groups at first (basic undergraduate), second (advanced undergraduate) and third (graduate) cycle levels.
6. Completed, nationally and internationally presented pedagogical development work resulting in improved study programmes and/or courses.
7. A clear plan for the own pedagogical activities (including pedagogical development work) that demonstrates a high level of quality and great potential.

If the applicant is deemed to fulfil all of the above criteria, they will be assessed by two experts in their field and must meet the eligibility requirements that apply to appointments as a Senior Lecturer at Karolinska Institutet.