Postdoctoral Researcher in molecular neuroscience

A postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Jonas Frisén at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute. The lab is interested in the role of stem cells in cell turnover in healthy and pathological situations. We study the identity of stem cells and the organization of cellular lineages, the molecular regulation of cell production and the role of cell renewal in homeostasis and pathological situations. Many of our projects focus on stem cells in the brain and spinal cord with a focus on adult neurogenesis and the role of stem cells in regenerative processes. We use both mouse models of development and disease as well as human samples.

We are also interested in cell renewal in the heart and use the intestine as a stem cell and cancer model system. We have developed a method to study cell turnover by analyzing the integration of 14C derived from nuclear bomb tests in DNA and use this to assess cell renewal in humans.

Research projects in the Frisén lab are supported by several funding bodies such as the European Research Commission (ERC), the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Swedish Research Council. 

The postdoctoral fellow will work on spinal cord injury with special focus on the molecular mechanisms driving scar formation across CNS-resident cell populations. The work will involve extensive molecular profiling using single cell and spatial transcriptomics methods, computational analyses, integration of datasets across species as well as fate mapping within the CNS and in vivo perturbations in mice to manipulate the scarring process. The successful candidate will be part of a highly interactive multinational and multidisciplinary team covering expertise in molecular biology, cell biology, neuroscience, regeneration biology, method development and computational biology. 

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.

We are seeking an ambitious fellow who will have a PhD and background in molecular neuroscience, stem cells and bioinformatics. The project involves both wet and dry lab methods. Consequently, experience with analysis of single-cell ‘omics and demonstrated skills in R and Python environments are required and are expected to be reflected in the applicant’s publication record. Accreditation and experience with surgical procedures in mice, such as CNS injury models, processing of CNS tissues for molecular techniques and stereotaxic injections is required. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is a requirement.

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Solna 

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete resumé, 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)

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