Senior Research Specialist to Karolinska Institutet

Do you want to work with cancer research with a focus on translational cancer research at Karolinska Institutet?
Are you interested in experimental and translational research? Do you want to actively contribute to better cancer treatment and diagnostics? Welcome to become part of an exciting research environment where pre-clinical and clinical researchers meet.

Karolinska Institutet, Dept. of Oncology-Pathology, Research group Dalianis

At the Department of Oncology-Pathology basic, translational and clinical research and educational activities related to cancer is carried out. Approximately 300 people from over 40 nations are currently working at the department. About 30 research groups with various cancer research profiles are involved and we have around 110 PhD students. The Department of Oncology-Pathology is responsible for undergraduate courses in Pathology, Oncology and Forensic Medicine for medical students, as well as for Tumor biology courses for biomedicine students and Pathology courses for opticians.

The group is led by professor Tina Dalianis . Ongoing research in the group is focused on human papillomavirus (HPV) and head and neck cancer, more specifically, tonsillar and base of tongue cancer and childhood cancer more specifically neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma and personalized medicine.

Tina Dalianis and colleagues have previously detected that HPV is a risk factor for tonsillar and base of tongue cancer and responsible for the epidemic increases in these diseases the past decades. In addition, the group has shown that patients with HPV positive tumours have a much better clinical outcome as compared to those with HPV negative tumours (80% vs. 50% 3-year disease specific survival). The group is therefore working on identifying additional biomarkers, useful for prognostication and for better tailored therapy. Current intensified therapy could possible be an overtreatment for patients with tumours with many favourable prognostic factors, however, importantly it has not improved survival for those with worse prognosis and other options such as targeted therapy would be of benefit.

In parallel, the Tina Dalianis group also pursues translational cancer research with novel and earlier known targeted therapy inhibitors in combination with/ without chemo- or radiotherapy against childhood cancers such as neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma with unique molecular profiles and aims to improve survival and quality of life.

The employed Senior Research Specialist is expected to demonstrate academic leadership in experimental and translational research in molecular biology. The applicant should have strong background in cancer research in a wide range of cancer types such as childhood cancers (neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma), and tonsillar and base of tongue cancer (TSCC/BOTSCC) and also on targeted therapy.

 Previous experience and knowledge of DNA viruses such as Human papillomavirus (HPV) is mandatory and of cytomegalovirus (CMV) of benefit. Proficiency in 2D and 3D cultures is also a prerequisite. Experience in protein synthesis and ribosomal function and biogenesis is of benefit. The applicant will act as a principal investigator and conduct high-quality research in the subject area, supervise doctoral students and doctoral junior researchers (post-docs) and develop the field through collaborations with other colleagues in experimental and clinical activities locally, nationally and internationally. It is of great importance that the applicant can work together with other researchers in collaborative efforts.

To be eligible for employment as a Senior Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having equivalent scientific expertise, the applicant must have demonstrated good level of research expertise with significant scientific production. The applicant must also have demonstrated a good scientific independence to which their own contribution has been significant and a research plan of high quality with clear potential for the future.

For employment as Senior Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria stated in the Rules regarding other positions than teaching positions are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

•  Active high-quality scientific production in the field with a clear leading and senior authorships.
• Research responsibility as supervisor for degree project on advanced level, doctoral student and postdoc.
• Ability to obtain own competitive research grants

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown

 A clear plan for the future development of translational cancer research regarding applicants' own area of expertiseSuccessful supervision of doctoral students and students in pre-clinical experimental environmentExperience of successful research in networks with different disciplines. 

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

A creative 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 benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna

Your career continues here

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

The applications will be reviewed by external reviewers.

Welcome to apply at the latest 9th  February.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.