Postdoctoral researchers in Cell transplantation for Parkinson’s disease

We invite applications for a postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Professor Ernest Arenas: http://ernestarenaslab.org/. The laboratory is part of the Division of Molecular Neurobiology, a cluster of 8 research groups forming a dynamic and collaborative research environment within the MBB department, at the Karolinska Institute. https://ki.se/en/mbb/research-division-of-molecular-neurobiology.

Our laboratory is located in Biomedicum, one of the largest and most modern research centers in Northern Europe, within a world leading University, Karolinska Institutet. We provide modern technological platforms and we offer an interactive, multidisciplinary and international research environment, where you can perform cutting edge science that makes a difference, address fundamental questions, and develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Your mission

We look for postdoctoral researchers interested in stem cell biology and in developing cell replacement strategies for Parkinson’s disease. The successful candidate will transplant neural progenitors derived from pluripotent stem cells in transgenic mouse models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) or in 6-hydroxydopamine models of PD. Applicants will work on one of the two following projects:

1) Identification of the optimal cell preparation and cell composition to achieve precise and effective cell replacement with the minimal number of cells and cell types. Focus will be placed on appropriate integration of cells in the host brain at an anatomical level (establishment of afferent and efferent projections); at a functional level (electrophysiological, neurochemical and behavioral analysis); and at a molecular level, by using as single cell methodologies.

2) Identification of the optimal pluripotent stem cell line engineered to decrease or avoid immune response. This project will focus on the defining the capacity of the different cell lines to reduce the recruitment of immune cells, the inflammatory response, and the local damage to the transplanted cells and to the host brain.

These two projects are based on previous and ongoing work from the lab in which human developmental knowledge (La Mano et al., 2016, Cell) has been used to develop new protocols and strategies (Nishimura, 2022, in preparation) for cell replacement in animal models of PD (Rivetti di val Cervo, 2017, Nature Biotechnology). These projects are part of an ERC Advanced Grant aiming at developing precision cell replacement strategies for Parkinson’s disease (PreciseCell PD, 2021-2026) and of an international collaborative project of the EU (Neurostemcell-reconstruct, 2019-2024), respectively.

Your profile

You are interested in the project and you have a PhD or are about to defend your thesis in the areas of neuroscience, regenerative medicine, biomedicine, development, molecular biology, neurobiology, neuropharmacology or related areas. You have good knowledge of the basal ganglia and you have experience in planning, performing and analyzing experiments involving one or more of the following items: Stereotaxic surgery, rodent models of Parkinson’s disease, cultivation of stem cells, cell transplantation, viral tracing, behavioral analysis, confocal microscopy, electrophysiology or molecular biology. Knowledge of midbrain development, dopaminergic neurons, single cell RNA-sequencing, FACS, and experience in working in international environments will be considered as additional merits. Priority will be given to applicants with FELASA or equivalent training and certification to work with rodents. Applicants should have good communication skills and be proficient in spoken and written English.

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. 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. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant’s main supervisor, director or equivalent.

What do we offer?

We offer a two-year (1+1 year) full time (100%) postdoctoral position starting in September 2022. Our laboratory and our unit offer a creative, interactive, inclusive, and international research environment, where you can enjoy science and develop your career.

The project offers excellent training opportunities, outstanding research networks and opportunities to interact and collaborate with world leading laboratories and top researchers working in the area of regenerative medicine and PD.  

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. 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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna, Biomedicum

Application

Your application must contain the following documents in English:

• 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).
• A letter of motivation (no more than one page)
• Three references or reference letters,
• Verification from the thesis defence committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defence is scheduled within three months after the application deadline).

In assessing candidates we will place our emphasis on the personal trajectory, education, technical skills, CV, merits and previous experience.

You are welcome to apply at the latest by the 2nd of September 2022

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

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