Research Specialist in <subject>

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions in which both research and teaching are conducted. The department is involved in advanced research in both basic and applied research. All departments operate in close contact with clinics at Karolinska University Hospital. The department's educational activities contribute to most programs and courses within KI's total educational offerings.

The Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine is currently looking for a research specialist for a permanent position, full-time .

EL Andaloussi's lab focuses on the development of technologies for efficient intracellular delivery of functional proteins or protein complexes using engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs). Despite the successful extracellular targets for therapeutic proteins, some of which have been approved for clinical applications, such as monoclonal antibodies, efficient intracellular delivery of functional proteins remains a challenge. This is due to the impermeability of the plasma membrane to proteins. Our research involves the development of new and innovative protein delivery technologies that can safely and efficiently transport target proteins or protein complexes to the target tissue. To achieve this, we engineer EVs with improved delivery and targeting capabilities and screen our wide range of EV designs in disease-relevant cell and animal models. Thus, our research platform offers a unique opportunity to discover, manufacture and deliver advanced therapies. 

As a research specialist, you will work on the development of bioengineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) to efficiently deliver active biological substances, mainly therapeutic proteins, in vitro and in vivo. The research will mainly focus on the development of innovative strategies for protein delivery using engineered EVs as cargo vehicles. Your task will be to integrate our current knowledge of EV technology and efficient tissue-targeted drug delivery to create platforms that give engineered EVs the ability to selectively incorporate and efficiently deliver protein therapeutics. Most of the work will be carried out using cell lines and animal models. The projects will be highly innovative and require up-to-date knowledge in the field and an excellent ability to integrate and transfer advanced technologies to develop groundbreaking new technological approaches. In your role as a research specialist, you will work hands-on in the laboratory, participate in the conception and design of new projects and take on leadership responsibilities.

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.

We are looking for someone with a PhD and extensive experience as a postdoctoral researcher in EV biotechnology or drug and protein delivery. We expect you to have academic training in molecular pathology and medical physiology. Solid background in EV biology, biotechnology and bioengineering, gene therapy and/or protein delivery is a requirement. The position requires good laboratory experience in EV technology, purification and characterization. Important skills are also knowledge of molecular biology techniques, in particular molecular cloning, experience with advanced genome editing tools and PCR related techniques. Extensive knowledge of cell culture work, in particular lentiviral transduction and generation of stable cell clones for protein expression, and competence in flow cytometric analysis is essential. You should also have proven experience in writing scientific publications and grant proposals and in supervising PhD students and postdocs. An animal license at FELASA level and extensive experience in experimental work with rodents is a requirement. In addition, excellent oral and written English skills are required.

As a person, we would like you to be energetic and passionate and that you fit into our team by actively contributing.

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership qualities and a positive attitude
• Extensive experience in EV production and characterization
• Design and implementation of innovative strategies in EV technology

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Excellent skills in cell culture techniques, including virus production and establishment of stable cell lines
• Excellent expertise in molecular cloning, in particular genome editing techniques and viral vector design

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.

In this recruitment, we place great importance on personal characteristics.

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: Flemingsberg

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 8 March.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.