Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatric

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.

The Division of Clinical Geriatric, with over 100 employed and affiliated researchers are located both in Neo, Campus Flemingsberg and in the Q-building in Solna. We conduct research focusing on cognitive impairment, dementia, and other aging related disorders, and education, among other medical graduates. Our research is multi-faceted and is in close collaboration with leading institutions and clinics worldwide. The research is clinically oriented with an emphasis on diagnosis, prevention and treatment. The division has a close cooperation with the Medical Unit Aging within Theme Inflammation and Aging at Karolinska University Hospital.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?


Associate Professor Taher Darreh-Shori is an experienced pharmacologist. Darreh-Shori’s Lab has a strong profile in neuropharmacology and works with drug and biomarker development in the field of neurodegenerative disorders with a focus on the cholinergic neuronal interfaces in PNS, ENS and CNS. The target that we are currently working on is the key cholinergic enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which is responsible for biosynthesis of acetylcholine. We are working with two unique sets of small molecule ChAT ligands. Our aims are to develop some of the compounds as molecular probes, e.g. as ChAT tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of cholinergic interfaces in the body. The other ChAT ligands represent a new class of drug candidates that we call ChAT-Potentiating-Ligands (CPLs). CPLs have been designed based on the novel cholinergic enhancing strategy of increasing the in vivo biosynthesis of acetylcholine rather than inhibiting its biodegradations. The ChAT-PET probes and CPLs are expected to have high potential in a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders where cholinergic deficit is a key feature, such as Alzheimer-like dementias, and motor neurons disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).


Your mission

As a postdoctoral researcher in our team, you will be working with in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies involved in characterization of novel small molecules, as molecular probes, and drug candidates. You are expected to take an active role in designing the studies and applying a diverse battery of biochemical and pharmacological methods for cell cultures and animal models. You will also be involved i supervising, training, and planning high quality smaller master-degree study projects for national and international students.

Your profile

We seek You, who are a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher. Preferably, You have done your PhD study in motor neurons diseases, such as ALS field. You have very good pharmacological knowledge and have good experience with performing such studies in cell culture systems and animal models. In other words, You have hands-on experience with 2D/3D cell culture studies as well as in vivo animal studies. You are skilled in performing immunohistochemistry and -cytochemistry. You have very good understanding of data processing and statistical analyses. Experience with studying mitochondrial function, morphology and mitochondria-driven apoptosis are highly desirable merits. Since your tasks include writing manuscripts and presentation of scientific data, excellent oral and writing skills in English are required.

You are also a highly motivated team-player with positive proactive attitudes towards working with national and international collaborators. You are well-organized and very good in planning and keeping the deadlines.

Entry requirements

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications 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.

Location: Campus Flemingsberg

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. We might start interviewing candidates before the last aplication date.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

Type of employment Postdoctoral studies.
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Flemingsberg
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-2023/2021
Contact
  • HR Johanna Lundblad, 08-524 868 35
  • Associate Professor Taher Darreh-Shori, 08-524 835 29
Union representative
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Emilie Hultin, SACO, 08-52483286
Published 16.Apr.2021
Last application date 08.Jun.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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