Postdoctoral position in the area of medical sensors and epidermal bioelectronics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated postdoctoral research fellow in the field of medical sensors and biosensors to join an international project in translational medical research. This is an exciting opportunity to involve breakthrough research on developing epidermal sensors for medical diagnostics as part of the recently awarded EU project (NEUROSENSE), using a combination of biochemistry, bioelectronics, and material science. We offer a multi-national and collaborative research environment with partners in academia and the biomedical industry.

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position in Parlak Lab at the Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine, Solna. The lab’s research focus is to develop epidermal sensors for medical diagnostics for the prevention and prediction of neurological and dermatological diseases. The group is building new interdisciplinary research as there is an immense potential for new fundamental insights to be discovered.

Your mission

A highly motivated, skilled, and experienced postdoctoral research fellow in biosensors and bioelectronics is needed to work at Parlak Lab at Karolinska Institute for our recently funded NEUROSENSE project. You will be part of a research team developing high-quality epidermal sensors. Specifically, you will work on the fabrication of a microelectrode array, synthetic and semi-synthetic biorecognition design for hormone and metabolite detection. You will be integral members of a team which works to generate high throughput epidermal biosensor devices. The duties of the position also include reporting and data dissemination. Thus, your work will contribute to the broader goal of NEUROSENSE; to make prevention and prediction of neurological disorders using epidermal biosensors. 

This large-scale project is a collaboration between Karolinska Institute and other partners around Europe. Our vision is based on the neuroendocrine processes of epileptic seizures and arousal, which are expected to be impaired in SUDEP. The NEUROSENSE project will develop the first SUDEP Medical Device (SMD) prototype supported by artificial intelligence (AI) to anticipate life-threatening seizures and trigger automatic emergency drug administration to prevent SUDEP. This represents the very first viable solution toward societal-friendly management of epilepsy-derived mortality, thus enabling the prevention of SUDEP worldwide. This will be achieved through the combination of expertise and innovative ideas in epilepsy and SUDEP, biosensors for medical devices, animal models of epilepsy, and SUDEP and mathematical modeling. To tackle the objectives of the NEUROSENSE project, a multidisciplinary group of leading European experts in key technological areas will ensure that the complete chain of value is enclosed in a multifaceted analysis.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated, curiosity-driven, inquisitive and enthusiastic person interested in our area of research and ready to explore new avenues in science. The candidates should have a collaborative approach to research, work productively in a team, and contribute to a good social environment in the laboratory.

The applicant shall hold a Ph.D. degree in natural or engineering sciences. The candidates with previous experience in biosensor design and microfabrication will be prioritized. The candidate should have documented experience with electrochemical biosensors. Experience in synthetic and semi-synthetic biorecognition design and polymer chemistry is significant merit. Experience with cell culturing and electron microscopy is not required but is considered merit.

The applicant needs to have a high degree of independence and motivation but should have no problems working in a team, given the collaborative nature of the project. Fluency in English is a requirement.

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier. 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 with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location

The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group  of Onur Parlak. The Department of Medicine, Solna is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institute. The core activities of the Department of Medicine are clinical and undergraduate education for medical as well as biomedical students, post-graduate education, including at present 200 registered PhD students, and research in different areas of biomedicine. The department conducts research in a large number of areas. The proximity to patients is one of the department’s strengths. Conducting research in a clinical environment gives excellent opportunities to integrate basic research and patient-centered research.

Parlak Lab is a newly established laboratory in the Division that aims to use innovative science at the interface between biotechnology, materials science, and electronics to tackle the key area of critical importance to society: healthcare and biomaterials. Parlak Lab investigates the application of bioelectronics in medicine to meet the need for complex, dynamic environments and to develop novel devices. The overall aim of the lab is to develop new technologies to combat healthcare challenges and design novel tools for early diagnostics and solutions for digital medicine and remote monitoring.

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the PhD defense, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work (not more than 5 pages)
• A selected list of publications
• A personal letter highlighting previous scientific accomplishments, technical expertise and why the candidate is interested in joining the host lab (not more than one page)
• Two Reference letters (to be uploaded in Varbi if already available, or to be sent directly to onur.parlak@ki.se after the first selection round)

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

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