Postdoctoral Researcher in single-cell studies of lung lymphocytes in severe asthma

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

We are looking for an ambitious postdoc with solid single-cell immunology skills to join our highly accomplished team of immunologists. We offer a stimulating environment in a rapidly moving research frontier.

Your mission

The Mjösberg group studies the differentiation, regulation and function of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in humans, and how these cells contribute to pathology in mucosal organs such as the lung and gut. The group is internationally recognized in the field through several high impact publications in recent years (Cell Res 2021, Sci Imm 2022, Cell Rep Med, 2023 etc). In this specific project, the postdoc will explore the lymphocyte landscape in bronchial biopsies of patients with severe asthma to identify ways of predicting and characterizing response to biologics therapy [link to MedH clinical lung and allergy research unit]. The studies are translational as they involve advanced basic molecular and cellular immunological investigations of precious human tissue samples to discover novel disease mechanisms, therapy targets and biomarkers. The project recently received the prestigious Large Grant from the Swedish Heart-lung Foundation [link]

The postdoc will utilize single-cell techniques to dissect human ILC and T cell biology in severe asthma. The project involves handling of human airway tissues and isolation of innate and adaptive lymphocytes, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq), high resolution/spectral flow cytometry and in vitro cell-differentiation and co-culture assays. As this is a team effort, excellent communication skills are essential, as is proven ability to work in multidisciplinary teams. It is expected that the postdoc also participate in other ongoing projects, supervises students and other researchers, if necessary, as well as contribute to common lab duties.

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

The candidate must hold a PhD equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree in the field of immunology. The candidate must fully master multidimensional (>20 parameters) flow cytometry analysis and sorting, as well as be experienced in scRNAseq. The candidate should be familiar with R software and have some experience analyzing scRNAseq data. Experience in isolation and in vitro culturing of primary immune cells is a requirement, as is basic functional in vitro assessments of immune cell function such as intracellular cytokine stainings, ELISA etc. The candidate should have a strong publication track-record. The candidate should be self-motivated, have good communications skills and a proven ability to interact effectively and work productively in an interdiciplinary team. Fluency in English is a requirement as well as some basic skills and willingness to learn Swedish.

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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Flemingsberg

Read more about the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH)

Read more about the project Tissue resident lymphocytes in severe asthma (TESLA)

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete resumé, including date of the thesis defense, 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)

Welcome to apply at the latest 2024-09-30

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

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

1. Jenny Mjösberg, Recruiting manager, jenny.mjosberg@ki.se
2. Jenna Almqvist, HR-Partner, jenna.almqvist@ki.se

1. Belinda Pannagel, SACO, belinda.pannagel@ki.se
2. Sidinh Luc, SACO, sidinh.luc@ki.se