Postdoctoral studies in spinal cord regeneration (scholarship)

The research team

A postdoctoral scholarship is available in the lab of András Simon at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet. 

The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a department with a strong focus on basic science. CMB conducts research and education in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cancer and infection biology. CMB is located in Biomedicum, a new interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna under one roof to promote collaboration. Biomedicum houses approximately 1,200 researchers and other personnel and allows expensive equipment to be shared and utilized more effectively.

The Simon lab seeks to reveal mechanisms that are responsible for successful regeneration to occur in salamanders, and conversely, highlight processes that prevent comparable injury responses in mammals. The lab's primary salamander model is the Iberian newt which has the widest spectrum of regeneration capacity among vertebrates. The lab has established several experimental paradigms both in vivo and in vitro, sequenced the genome of the Iberian newt, established stable transgenesis, and created genome-edited newts. Harnessing these technological developments, the group is combining exhaustive cell tracking studies with massive parallel sequencing and molecular manipulations to gain insights into regulatory mechanisms whose appropriate targeting could impose regenerative traits to mammals.

Research projects in the Simon lab are supported by several funding bodies such as the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Cancer Society.

The postdoctoral fellow will perform studies on spinal cord regeneration with special focus on establishment and re-organization of neural networks during regeneration. The tasks will involve comprehensive mapping of neural networks, cell tracking within the CNS as well as molecular profiling and manipulation of regeneration.

The successful candidate will be part of a highly interactive multinational and multidisciplinary team covering expertise in molecular biology, cell biology, neuroscience, regeneration biology, mathematical modelling and robotics.

The fundamental questions addressed in the project are outlined in Ryczko, Simon, Ijspeert, 2020, Trends in Neurosciences and references within.

We are seeking an ambitious fellow with PhD with a background in molecular and/or systems neuroscience. Experience with wet-lab single-cell ‘omics protocols and bioinformatics skills are of advantage.

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: Stockholm

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.