Assistant professor in neuro-immune interactions, Alzheimer’s disease

The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. NVS educates almost a third of KI students at basic and advanced levels. The Department has approximately 540 employees and a revenue 2023 of 530 million SEK. It comprises seven divisions, located at Campus Flemingsberg and Campus Solna.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated scientist who is interested in working in a multi- disciplinary team at the forefront of translational Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. You will work in an excellent international working environment, with national and international collaborations, and possibilities to publish in high impact journals.

We are looking for an assistant professor to our research group which works on developing disease-modifying/curative therapy/therapies for Alzheimer´s disease (AD) mainly using growth factors, with focus on encapsulated cell (EC Biodelivery) implants releasing nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived growth factor (BDNF). In relation to this, we want you to investigate the involvement of immunological processes with AD pathology and therapy outcome with a focus on the cholinergic system. Or conversely, whether the therapy modulates immune response.

Your tasks will include deciphering the contribution of neurotrophic molecules in modulating immune cell function. To study the immune cells in the brain, peripheral tissues and blood of Alzheimer’s disease pre-clinical mice models and clinical samples. To check the effect of therapeutic treatment with neurotrophins and pharmacological studies using in-vitro models of various immune cell lines and evaluate various aspects of immune cell function including biochemical assays, gene expression and protein expression.

The candidate will be expected to pursue independent research projects, write scientific articles in international journals, present research results at scientific conferences and for society, write and apply for own grants and tutor students in the research group.

The employment as Assistant Professor is time limited for four years with the right to apply for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

Those eligible for employment as an Assistant Professor are individuals who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than five years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position as assistant professor.

Those who have been awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence earlier may however be considered if special grounds exist.  Special grounds refer to: parental leave, positions of trust in trade union organizations, mandatory service in the total defense forces or long-term illness. Ground, dates and extent must be clearly specified in the application and verified with relevant documentation.

Candidates for this position must hold a PhD degree or a foreign qualification deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree within the area of biological sciences. In-depth theoretical knowledge of the field including immunological changes in AD is expected. A significant experimental experience in transgenic animal models (preferably AD mice models, humanized mice models), animal surgery experience, mammalian immune cell culture work (in-vitro, ex-vivo, cell lines and primary cultures), in-vitro pharmacological stimulation and read-out assessments, immunological assessments and in particular assays like multi-colour Flow-Cytometry, cytokine profiling, qPCR, ELISA, immunochemistry, and western blotting is needed.

Previous experience in immunology (T-cell, B-cell, microglia), molecular cloning, FACS cell-sorting, mice-surgery, ex-vivo whole blood processing and MACS based cell isolation is highly desirable. Certification from FELASA or equivalent European authorities for conducting animal research would be considered as an advantage.

Previous experience in handling and analyses of human samples such as CSF or plasma, performing cholinergic enzyme activity analysis, and overall knowledge of Nerve Growth Factor and cholinergic pathways will be a merit. Knowledge of encapsulated delivery of therapeutics is an asset.

The successful candidate will also be expected to have high-quality scientific research and publications including reviews, have obtained national research grants in competition as main applicant and experience as supervisor of students.

The research is interdisciplinary and ability to collaborate and participate in networks are required as excellent verbal and written English skills.

Candidates will be evaluated from their previous research experience of relevance for the tasks for the position, motivation and collaborative ability. Scientific expertise will be most important when assessing applicants. Practical experimental and collaborative skills will be of merit.

A creative, international 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 good benefits through our collective agreement. 

Location: Flemingsberg

Read more about the department of Neurobiology, care science and society

Read more about Professor Maria Eriksdotters research group

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish.
An application must contain the following documents:

1. Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio .
2. A complete list of publications
3. A summary of current work (no more than one page).
4. A verification from the thesis defence committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defence is scheduled within three months after the application deadline).

Welcome to apply at the latest 29th of March, 2024.

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

An Assistant Professor employed in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 4 Section 12a shall be promoted to Senior Lecturer if he or she is eligible for an employment as Senior Lecturer in accordance with the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet and is assessed to be suitable for such employment in accordance with the assessment criteria that KI has decided should be applied when being promoted to Senior Lecturer. The assessment criteria stated in the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet that was valid at the time of appointment as Assistant Professor will be applied when applying for promotion to Senior Lecturer. Current assessment criteria is found here. Such promotion results in a permanent position as Senior Lecturer.