Postdoctoral studies in lipid mediator mass spectrometry

Chronic lung disease is one of the largest noncommunicable diseases globally, resulting in upwards of 4 million deaths annually. Eicosanoids and related lipid mediators have been shown to exert causative role in the etiology of severe airway disease. Recent findings have shown that the early life gut microbiome produces lipid mediators associated with the onset of pediatric atopy and asthma. The identification of novel lipid mediators involved in the gut-lung axis therefore represents a potential therapeutic target in treating pediatric lung disease.

The Unit of Integrative Metabolomics in the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) consists of multiple researchers focused on the application of mass spectrometry to perform molecular phenotyping of individuals in response to disease or environmental stressors. These efforts are combined with integrative modeling to identify biochemical pathways associated with specific disease sub-phenotypes towards the goals of 1) understanding the etiology of disease processes & 2) identifying markers of the onset as well as resolution of system-based stress. The Unit is housed in the Biomedicum building at the Karolinska Institute in a new purpose-built mass spectrometry facility.  The Unit includes multiple mass spectrometers and the associated sample processing equipment as well as dedicated wet and dry laboratory space.

We have an opening for an individual wishing to join a multidisciplinary project aimed to understand the role of lipid mediators in lung disease. The successful candidate will be expected to use and further develop mass spectrometry-based methods for quantification of lipid mediators including eicosanoids (see https://bit.ly/49egFb5), novel octadecanoids (see https://bit.ly/46Nw1Bx) and other oxylipins (see https://bit.ly/4987w3J). Analyses will involve further development of novel chromatography approaches including chiral and UPC2 methods for applications in large scale clinical studies as well as experimental models to map the biochemical role of lipid mediators in the pathobiology of lung disease. Functional studies will be performed in multiple cell types, in ex vivo lung tissue and in animal models as well as in microbial cultures to generate a biochemical map of both pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediators. This project will be performed in collaboration with researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) (see https://bit.ly/3xOnC1S and https://bit.ly/3zA5z0w) as well as the University of California San Diego (UCSD).

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a Ph.D. in quantitative mass spectrometry or bioanalytical chemistry. The successful candidate will be expected to use and further develop mass spectrometry-based methods for metabolic profiling of lipid mediators. Accordingly, applicants must document their experience in small molecule mass spectrometry by LC-MS/MS as well as familiarity with quantification and method validation. Prior experience working with lipids is considered a merit as well as experience in cell culture and microbiome analysis. Excellent communication skills and an ability to interact socially and scientifically with other members of the laboratory and with international collaborators are essential.

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: Institute of environmental medicine, Solna

http://www.metabolomics.se/

https://ki.se/en/imm/unit-of-integrative-metabolomics

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

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 complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

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