Postdoctoral Researcher/The Strategic Research Programme for Diabetes

The Strategic Research Programme for Diabetes (SRP Diabetes) at Karolinska Institutet is funding a prestigious fellowship programme for postdoctoral research fellows. The Programme is focused on research in diabetes and its comorbidities. With this postdoctoral programme SRP Diabetes aims to support the next generation of exceptional young scientists within the diabetes area, including both experimental and clinical research. To promote cross-fertilization between research environments, we encourage scientists wishing to pursue postdoctoral training in a different university from where they carried out doctoral studies. Full details on the project and contact information to the PI can be found at: SRP diabetes postdoctoral fellowships

Based at Karolinska Institutet, fellows will undertake a cutting-edge research project, mentored by world-leading researchers in the field of diabetes. To increase coherence around the Fellowship programme, several events will be held throughout the year such as high-profile lectures, symposia, etc. which the fellows will attend.
The fellowships are fully funded, and salary is provided for a 2-year period. It is our intention that the positions will start in the autumn of 2022, though some flexibility with the start date might be possible.

Research Project (2)

Exosomal miRNAs and effects on skeletal muscle metabolism.

We are interested in understanding how skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity is altered, both in response to pathology such as type diabetes, and as a response to physical exercise. This fellowship programme is focused on the role of miRNAs in this regard, in particular miRNAs in small extracellular vesicles (also called exosomes. We have previously identified several miRNA which are dysregulated in skeletal muscle in subjects with type 2 diabetes, and which contribute to changes in metabolism and insulin signalling, including let7 (Jiang et al., 2013), miR-29 (Massart et al., 2017) and mIR20b (Katayama et al., 2018). Since miRNAs are able to target multiple genes simultaneously, miRNAs provide a potential mechanism for efficiently modulating a whole pathway to change or alter the functional properties in specific target tissues.
Objectives; A key observation is that primary cultures of human skeletal muscle from people with type 2 diabetes maintain an impaired response to insulin even after several passages in culture, implicating a genetic (or epigenetic) component. This project is focused on elucidating the role of exosomes, and in particular miRNA carried in exosomes in directing this effect.  We aim to identify miRNAs in media from skeletal muscle cultures established from people with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes. Identified miRNAs will be studied to determine functional effects of the identified miRNAs in different metabolic target tissues including skeletal muscle.

Your profile

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.

Key responsibilities of the selected applicant:

• Plan, manage and conduct an agreed academic research project and associated activities.
• Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate.
• Develop research questions, analyse detailed and complex qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources, and contribute original ideas for new research projects.
• Coordinate multiple aspects of work to deliver novel research data in accordance with established timelines set between you and the Principal Investigator.
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols to support research.
• Regularly write research articles at an international level for peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and reviews.
• Formally present your research and represent the research group at internal, national and international conferences and meetings, either with other members of the team or alone.
• Informally present your research to the group at established meetings.
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques.

Selection Criteria
Essential 

• A PhD in a medical/biological subject (to be completed in 2022).
• The ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities.
• A strong CV, having published in high impact journals and presented at international meetings.
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.
• Ability to work with meticulous attention to detail.
• An enthusiastic interest in diabetes research.
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills and leadership, with the ability to communicate research ideas and results in a clear and logical way and the ability to confidently and effectively interact with colleagues and the broader research community.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• A conscientious and enthusiastic working approach.
• Excellent planning, organizational and problem-solving skills.

Desired

• Track record in metabolic disease, assessment of insulin action in skeletal muscle and analysis of miRNAs is a merit.
• Bioinformatic experience of analysis of gene expression

Each Fellowship and research Project is for up to two years. We will prioritize applicants who have the opportunity to complete the project and be employed for two years. Preference should be given to those who were awarded a PhD or attained equivalent research competence no more than three years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position as postdoc.

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. 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.

For further information about working at Karolinska Institutet, rules for visa/residence permit, insurance and accommodation please see: International staff

Location: Solna

How to apply

If you consider that you meet the selection criteria, click on the Login and apply button on this page and follow the on-screen instructions to register as a user. You will then be required to provide information in a number of screens with your application details, relating to your skills and experience. When prompted, please provide details of three references. You will also be required to upload a CV and Personal Letter which explains how you meet the selection criteria for the post. The Personal Letter (maximum two pages) should explain your relevant experience which may have been gained in employment, education, or you may have taken time away from these activities as illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances. Your application will be judged in part on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria outlined above and we are happy to consider evidence of transferable skills or experience which you may have gained outside the context of paid employment or education

Please save all uploaded documents to show your name and the document type.
The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

The closing date for applications is midnight CEST on 31 August, 2022.

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