Postdoctoral studies, extracellular vesicles (Scholarship) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of 7 divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

The Department of Laboratory Medicine is tightly connected with clinical researchers and healthcare teams at several departments of the Karolinska University Hospital, which allows for translational research involving clinical material and the potential to bring new therapies from bench to bedside. The facilities at Laboratory Medicine offer state-of-the art cell culture, molecular biology, flow cytometry and microscopy facilities. The vision of the Department is to conduct research to promote human health. This research often leads to new diagnostic methods, clinical practices or to new treatments.

The Clinical Research Centre (CRC)
The Clinical Research Centre is one of the divisions at the Department of Laboratory Medicine. The CRC provide the facilities needed for cell- and molecular biology research and the possibility to perform research in vivo. With its particular position in the interface between basic science and clinical application, CRC has a unique opportunity to translate progress in biomedical research into new methods and principles for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. 

The Research Group and Project
Within the CRC, Associate Professor Samir EL Andaloussi heads a research group focusing on one of the greatest challenges facing modern therapeutics; delivery. Despite the unprecedented knowledge of diseases and their mechanisms due to advances in biomedical sciences; many promising therapeutic approaches are still clinically unavailable. This is simply because there is no efficient means of delivering these therapeutics to the right organ with the right dose. Such therapeutics include proteins for replacement therapy or antibodies for anti-inflammatory treatment as well as nucleic acids for gene therapy of diseases including muscular dystrophies and neurodegenerative disorders.

We develop innovative drug delivery technologies that are able to carry protein and/or gene therapies to the target tissues safely and efficiently. We have developed a promising technology based on reprogramming exosomes, which are vesicles that are naturally used by cells to communicate, to carry therapeutic proteins and nucleic acids. We engineer exosomes with enhanced delivery and targeting capacities and screen our wide array of exosome designs in disease-relevant cellular and animal models. For example, engineered exosomes are made to promote anti-tumor effects.

Genome editing entities, such as Cas9 RNP can be delivered by our reprogrammed exosomes as well. We are also developing methods for large-scale production and purification of such exosome therapeutics. Additionally, our lab develops methods for gene therapy based on modified cell-penetrating peptides that are efficient carriers of nucleic acids and proteins across biological barriers. We test our different technologies in models of inflammatory diseases, tumors as well as neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders. Our main aim is to one day unlock the potential of protein and gene therapy of such diseases by the development of novel and efficient delivery technologies.

We are seeking a highly motivated person to join the group of Associate Professor Samir EL Andaloussi as a Postdoctoral fellow, and to join the team working on the development of bioengineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) for delivery of RNA- and protein-based therapeutics.

Most of the research will be conducted utilizing cell lines and animal models. The first part of the project will involve engineering of therapeutically active exosomes with different RNA species. This is achieved by cloning various genetic constructs that are introduced into producer cells and validated for expression in purified exosomes. The second part will involve testing these exosomes in normal and tumor-bearing mice. The third part will involve reprogramming exosomes for tumor targeting and therapy, testing both in vitro and in vivo. And the fourth part is about delivery of Cas9 RNP by engineered exosomes for genome editing in recipient cells.

Scholarship for postdoctoral studies
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.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

The initial scholarship is awarded for the duration of 12 months, with possibility for extension depending on scientific progress.

Entry requirements and qualifications
The ideal candidate is highly motivated, with an outstanding completed PhD thesis (or equivalent) and a strong drive for a future career in research. The candidate should be capable of generating novel ideas, acquire knowledge independently and possess sufficient computational skills to evaluate and develop ongoing projects.

The applicant should have a solid background in basic biology or medicine. The position requires experience in practical lab experience in the following areas; expression analysis on the protein (Immunoblotting, ELISA, and IP) and RNA level (qPCR). Extensive experience in cell culture work and different microscopy techniques (ICC, IHC, EM). The project will include animal work which requires that the applicant has extensive animal work experience. The applicant should preferably also have experience from work with EVs.

Previous experience with molecular cloning is a merit. In addition, excellent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential. We are looking for an energetic and passionate person who fits in, and actively contributes to our team.

Application process
An employment application must contain the following documents: 

- 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 through the Varbi recruitment system.

Location: Flemingsberg

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its vision is to significantly contribute to the improvement of human health. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences.

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. Pursuant to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, applications are kept on file for two years after the appointment has gained legal force. The regulations do not apply to attachments that have been printed or otherwise published. Karolinska Institutet strives to provide a workplace that has approximately the same number of women and men, is free of discrimination and offers equal opportunity to everyone.

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