1-2 Postdoctoral researchers in the field of molecular aging

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The research group of Professor Maria Eriksson at the department of Biosciences and Nutrition is looking for 1-2 highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to study somatic mutations in age-associated disease. The research aims at understanding the role of somatic mutations and their functional relevance in the development of age-associated diseases. We use both patient material and animal models combined with modern genomic technologies that allow for detailed analysis down to single-cell resolution to try to answer disease-relevant fundamental questions. https://ki.se/en/bionut/genetic-mechanisms-of-ageing-maria-eriksson

The division

The research group of Professor Maria Eriksson aims to identify novel genetic mechanisms of aging with a special focus on somatic mutations and their functional contribution to aging and age-associated diseases. The group also has a long-standing interest in the study of the premature aging disorder Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, trying to identify novel targets for treatment. The group consists of 2 postdocs and 2 PhD students, and has recently obtained an ERC Advanced grant to study somatic mutations in vascular wall function and is therefore looking to expand with 1-2 additional postdocs. 

The research group is part of a larger “Aging and Cancer” space that consists of 6 other research groups located next to each other within Neo, a modern research building. Such stimulating environment allows for several arrangements of joint events and promotes daily interactions, collaborations and sharing of expertise.

Your mission

Somatic cells accumulate thousands of mutations during development and aging. However, detailed analysis and insight into the extent of somatic variance in the vascular tissue is lacking. The postdoc will study the clonality of the vascular wall in human tissue samples and generate advanced mouse models based on lineage tracing to follow the fate of mutated cells. The aim is to define functional implications of somatic mutations in relation to aging and age-associated cardiovascular disease. The research work includes standard molecular biological techniques, mouse phenotyping and modern omics-approaches. The postdoc is expected to be part of the group and to develop in accordance with the common group goals and research interests.

Your profile

Applications are invited from highly motivated individuals with a PhD and a strong background in molecular biology or genetics. Previous experience from work with human samples, mouse models and modern genomics technologies is required. Experience from work on the vascular system and lineage tracing, using confetti or similar strains, and rare event detection, is advantageous. Successful candidates are enthusiastic, responsible, able to perform their own experiments and analysis. They can provide suggestions and support in experimental design and experimentation to other members of the group. Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement.

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. 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.

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: Flemingsberg

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)

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

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