Postdoctoral studies in translational microbiome research and gastrointestinal inflammatory disease (scholarship)

Om jobbet

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?
The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. Our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate the role of the microbiome in gastrointestinal inflammatory disease. You will contribute to translational research aimed at understanding interactions between the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal disease, and at advancing microbiome-based strategies for treatment and prevention. You will independently run a project in an established interdisciplinary research environment.
Division
Lars Engstrand group has established a highly effective translational scientific environment, with a broad interdisciplinary approach to the interface between epidemiology and the microbiological, immunological and genetic aspects of chronic diseases. Our goal is to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms within the fields of gastroenterology, women's health and cancer, define what is a normal and healthy microbiome, and to improve the prospects for primary prevention.
Duties
The postdoctoral researcher will investigate interactions between the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal inflammatory disease, with a focus on mechanisms relevant to disease development, treatment and prevention. A major part of the project will be to use and further develop bioreactor-based models and related bacterial culture methods to study complex microbial communities and to support the development of microbiome-based therapeutic approaches.

The work will combine translational studies of gastrointestinal inflammatory disease with microbiological and molecular approaches in clinically relevant human materials. Duties include experimental work with bacterial culture under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, handling and processing of clinical samples, generation and analysis of microbiome-related data, and interpretation of results in the context of disease mechanisms and therapy development.

The successful candidate is expected to independently run the project, contribute to scientific writing and publication, and participate in collaborative efforts on other research projects within the group.
Entry requirements
Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships. 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.

Essential for the position:

• A PhD in a relevant field, obtained in accordance with KI postdoctoral scholarship requirements.
• Extensive hands-on experience with bioreactors.
• Documented experience in gastrointestinal microbiome research.
• Solid experience in handling fastidious bacteria, including strict anaerobes in an anaerobic box.
• Experience in clinical sample collection and processing.
• Solid knowledge of molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, ELISA, peptide isolation and sample preparation for mass spectrometry.
• Familiarity with basic statistical and bioinformatic analysis.
• Fluency in English (both written and spoken).

Meritorious for the position :

• Experience in inflammatory bowel disease research.
• Experience with animal models.
• Demonstrated capacity for scientific writing and publication.
• Experience presenting research at national and international scientific meetings.

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. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical 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. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.

Location: Solna
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)
• PhD certificate
• A personal motivation letter, explaining your research interest
• Contact information of at least two references

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