Postdoctoral studies in chromosome organization and dynamics (scholarship)

Join the lab of Camilla Björkegren at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet on a postdoctoral scholarship to study molecular mechanisms that protect against disease-related chromosome aberrations.

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a department with a strong focus on basic science. CMB conducts research and education in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cancer and infection biology. CMB is located in Biomedicum, a new interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna under one roof to promote collaboration. Biomedicum houses approximately 1,200 researchers and other personnel and allows expensive equipment to be shared and utilized more effectively.

The Björkegren lab aims to reveal fundamental molecular mechanisms that are essential for chromosome organization, dynamics, and function. The group focuses their research on the family of SMC protein complexes that controls most chromosomal processes, including the 3D organization of the genome, transcription, and chromosome repair and segregation. Combining investigations of in vivo models with biochemical and single molecule in vitro investigations, the Björkegren team unravels the function of the Smc5/6 complex, known for its function in viral restriction and organism development. Currently, the group focuses their research on a recently discovered connection between SMC complexes, chromosome 3D organization, and transcription-induced changes in the DNA helix, so called DNA supercoiling.

The research is supported by several funding bodies such as the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Cancer Foundation, and the team has long-standing international collaborations with scientists at Tokyo University, Japan, and Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt, Germany.

For further information research performed in the Björkegren team, please go to:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26299966/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35687682/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37076626/ 

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.06.20.545053v1

The postdoctoral fellow will perform studies on the connection between chromosome organization and function, focusing on SMC complexes and their connection to DNA supercoiling. Depending on competence and preference, the fellow will perform in vivo investigations using a budding yeast model system and/or biochemical studies of various variants of purified SMC complexes and supercoiling-controlling enzymes.

The successful candidate will be part of a highly interactive and multidisciplinary team covering expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and bioinformatics.

We are seeking an ambitious fellow with a PhD degree and background in molecular biology and/or biochemistry. Experience from the chromosome organization and stability field, genome-wide analyses of chromosome organization and/or bioinformatics is considered as an advantage.

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:

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.

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)
• A letter of motivation (no more than one page)

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