Postdoctoral studies in cancer biology (scholarship)

The “Genome Integrity” group at the Karolinska Institutet - SciLifeLab, led by Prof. Jiri Bartek has one postdoc vacancy.

Our research focuses on various mechanistic aspects of the DNA replication, DNA damage response and DNA repair pathways and their links with cancer (see our numerous publications in top journals in the last 5 years). Another of our long-term goals is to unravel the principles of ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis control and to understand how ribosome biogenesis stress crosstalks with the DNA damage response machinery. As examples, see also recent publications from the research group including Björkman A, et al Genes Dev. 34: 1065-1074, Espinoza JA, et al Cell Death Diff. 27: 773-789, and Kanellis D, et al Sci Adv. 32:eabf7561.

The group uses state of the art methods in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, for example those related to high content imaging, polysome and ribosome profiling, cell cycle analysis, DNA replication, DNA repair and RNA synthesis. We also use different high-throughput functional genomic, omic-profiling, genome editing technologies to understand protein functions involved in DNA damage response and ribosome biogenesis.

For further information visit https://ki.se/en/mbb/jiri-bartek-group

The group is embedded in a friendly, innovative, highly supportive, and well-funded research environment, at the Division of Genome Biology, together with other competitive groups that work in areas such as epigenetics, genome stability, advanced imaging or genomics (https://ki.se/en/mbb/research-division-of-genome-biology).

Apart from other competitive grants, our team has obtained generous funding from the Swedish Research Council that secures its activities in the long term.

At SciLifeLab, our group is intertwined with other world leaders in various areas of molecular biosciences, and has access to national facilities for proteomics, next generation sequencing, chemical biology, drug discovery and development, among others. The research lab is well equipped with state-of-the art microscopes and other imaging tools. Another advantage is the intimate collaborative link with Prof. Bartek’s Genome Integrity Laboratory in Copenhagen, with possibilities of mutual visits and shared projects.

Location: SciLifeLab, Solna

We are currently looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to join our team with a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Cancer Cell Biology or other relevant fields. This position will require a driven, creative individual willing to tackle novel challenges. Biological questions are diverse, but functional characterization of proteins involved in aspects of DNA damage response or ribosome biogenesis is central in several of the projects. The applicant should have hands-on experience in different cell and molecular biology techniques, such as quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, co-immunoprecipitation, cloning and expression technologies in cell cultures. Knowledge of and hands-on experience with high content imaging as well as conventional fluorescence microscopy, ability to handle and analyze large data sets generated from proteomics or RNAseq, would be advantages. The successful candidate should have an outstanding publication record as it relates to the career stage. It is expected that the candidate has the capacity to independently develop scientific ideas, and test these in controlled designed experiments. To stay up-to-date with the latest literature, participation in group meetings and seminars to discuss findings. Writing scientific manuscripts and grants. Present findings at conferences. Complete fluency in both written and spoken English is a request.

We are preferably searching for a candidate that could start the position with a postdoctoral scholarship, but we also invite candidates not qualified for scholarship to apply.

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.

Bases of assessment

Scientific merit is the essential basis of our assessment. All applications will be internally reviewed, and the assessment done according to the applicant’s competence (publications, experience, distinctions and other relevant research merits). Selected applicants will be interviewed at a second stage before making the final decision.

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.

Interested applicants must attach the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A cover letter describing their research experience and career goals,
• A CV (curriculum vitae) including publications,
• A list of contacts with the names and email addresses of two professional references.

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