Research Specialist in Bacterial immunology and vaccines

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet in Solna conducts research and education in immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. Our keywords are interdisciplinary, clinically based basic research and national and international cooperation.

We search for a research specialist that together with Professor Birgitta Henriques Normark, her research group and her collaborators, will work on projects in bacteriology and respiratory tract infections with a focus on pneumococcal and streptococcal infections and immunological responses, both adaptive and T cell responses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global health threats. Respiratory tract infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Pneumococci are major causes of milder respiratory tract infections, but also of more severe infections such as pneumonia without or with septicemia and meningitis. Group A streptococci are major causes of tonsillitis, and skin infections, but also of more severe diseases such as septicemia, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome. There is also a risk for sequelae including rheumatic heart disease. The research group focuses on pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions with a major interest in pneumococcal and streptococcal infections.

This position includes studies of bacterial pathogenesis and vaccines with a focus on immunological responses during pneumococcal and streptococcal infections. Both adaptive and T cell responses will be studied. Vaccine candidates will be evaluated regarding immunological responses and molecular microbiology technologies will be employed using in vitro cell models and in vivo models for studies of pathogenesis. Bacterial membrane vesicles and their immunological responses will be studied. The major target is pneumococcal and streptococcal infections, but also other microbial infections may be targeted.

To be eligible for employment as a Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having equivalent scientific expertise, the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise as well as have documented research experience after defending their doctoral dissertation.

In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the applicant must have:

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in teams.

Meritorius for the position:

• A PhD in infection immunology will be given priority.
• Previous postdoctoral experience in bacteriology and immunological responses especially on pneumococcal infections and B cell and T cell responses, is an advantage.
• Documented experience in relevant research areas will be prioritized, especially previous experiences of immunological and molecular techniques, pneumococcal immunology, and using in vitro and in vivo infection model systems. 
• Experience with international collaborations, as well as experience in project management are of advantage in addition to social skills, creative thinking, and language skills, especially in English and Swedish. 

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

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 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: Solna, Biomedicum

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We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

Welcome to apply at the latest 2024-05-13.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.