Postdoctoral scholarship in single-cell biology and Organoids-on-a-chip

The Deng Lab: Drawing from our expertise in the fields of developmental biology and single-cell omics, we aim to answer fundamental questions about how maternal health and uterine environment  are functionally affect fetal programming and offspring health. We use state-of-the-art approaches to assess transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles, as well as organoids-on-a-chip, bioinformatics and human samples to understand how placenta actively responds to maternal uterine environment and coordinate fetal metabolic organ development as well as future metabolic functions. (key lab references: Nature Medicine 2019; Cell Reports Medicine 2023; Cell Reports 2019, 2023). The overall aim is to reveal novel mechanism for future intervention with nanomedicine. The group is placed in the Biomedicum, a top modern research building with a large repertoire of researchers and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.

The focus of this research project is to understand how human placentas are regulated during maternal endocrine and metabolic diseases (i.e. polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes) using single-cell RNAseq and mouse models. Together with disease derived trophoblast organoids, we aim to decipher molecular regulation of placenta development that is causative with fetal programming and offspring health. Furthermore, we aim to develop new ways to target these regulatory mechanisms to improve offspring health. Recent evidence showed parental diseases transmission to offspring. We will use biochemical and molecular biology approaches, single-cell sequencing and organoids modeling to investigate how such epigenetic inheritance is regulated. The outcome of the postdoctoral work will inspire a new strategy to target fetal programming.

The project is a combination of practical laboratory work (wet-lab work) and preferably computational analysis (programming in R and/or Python). The program also includes supervision of students and attendance to seminars and conferences. The postdoc will plan and execute experiments, analyze data, interpret, and present the results as well as write scientific articles, initially under partial supervision but with greater independence going forward.

We seek a curious, highly motivated and creative postdoc with a strong background in molecular biology, placental biology and stem cell biology. The ideal candidate should have experience with programming languages to analyze sequencing data. The candidate should also have a good team spirit and bring a keen interest in solving intricate scientific questions. Experience with mammalian cell cultures, molecular biology, next-generation sequencing and large-scale bioinformatics analysis is a strength. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (in English written and verbal) is required. Emphasis will be also placed on personal suitability, fitting well into the current research group.

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: Biomedicum, Campus Solna.

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, with twenty-four months in total, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. At Karolinska Institutet, 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. 

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 brief motivation letter stating the reason why the candidate is interested in this project (no more than half a page, font 12) 
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than half a page, font 12)
• Contact details of two reference persons

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