Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular & Cellular Exercise Physiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Division

Research at the Molecular & Cellular Exercise Physiology group is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms that mediate local and systemic adaptations to physical exercise. We are particularly interested in understanding how exercised or sedentary skeletal muscle can crosstalk with other organs, and how it can affect individual health and disease. To this end, we use in vitro and in vivo systems to dissect the regulatory mechanisms that are activated by exercise and that control the different exercise-induced adaptations. By better understanding the signal transduction and gene regulatory pathways that control local and systemic adaptations to physical exercise, we aim at developing future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metabolic and degenerative diseases such as diabetes, obesity, sarcopenia and neuromuscular disorders. More information about our research group can be found at www.ki.se/research/jorgeruas

Duties

The project to be developed aims to dissect the molecular machinery behind degradation of transcriptional coactivator PGC-1a1. Several potential regulators of PGC-1a1 degradation have been identified in our mass spectrometry screens and the role of the applicant is to validate them from functional and physiological perspective both in vitro and in vivo using recombinant viral technologies and transgenic animals. Analysis of posttranslational modifications as well as detailed mapping of degradation residues will give us insight into which regions of PGC-1a may be responsible for its instability and enable us to create degradation resistant variants. The identification of either small molecule or peptides able to interfere with PGC-1a1 degradation will present us with opportunity to ameliorate severity of some metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

Your mission

We are looking for a highly motivated and driven person, specialized in biochemical, molecular biology and bioinformatics research.

The applicant will be evaluated based on education and previous experience, relevance for the project, motivation, problem solving skills, and cooperative ability. Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

The candidate must be experienced in biochemical approaches, such as protein purification, mass spectrometry and with strong background in molecular biology. Additionally, cell and tissue culture techniques including, but not limited to isolation and maintenance of primary myoblasts and adipocytes, together with generation purification and use of recombinant viral vectors is needed. As the characterization of novel candidates requires in vivo validation, experience in handling of laboratory animals and phenotypic characterization of mice with regard to energy metabolism and skeletal muscle physiology is required (FELASA B certification).

Due to the nature of project, experience with bioinformatics, fluency in both Python and R programing languages, automation of analysis and pipeline construction, analysis of next generation sequencing data and handling of large data sets is also necessary.

Excellent communication skills with documented history, ability to seamlessly integrate into laboratory environment and interact both socially and scientifically with other colleagues and collaborators is essential. The ideal candidate should be ambitious, strongly motivated and independent to develop the project and successfully troubleshoot emerging issues.

Your profile

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles to several benefits such as extended holiday and generous occupational pension. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Solna, 

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!

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

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