The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) is a department with a strong focus on basic science. CMB conducts research and education in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, cancer and infection biology.
Division
The research group of Johan Holmberg is part of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) which recently moved to the new interdisciplinary research centre Biomedicum located at Campus Solna, Karolinska Institutet.
Background
The brain contains a large number of different neuronal subtypes that maintain their distinct identities over several decades despite continuous environmental fluctuation. Apart from the instructive information provided by transcription factors controlling cell type specific transcriptional programs, there is presumably also a need to maintain silencing of alternative transcriptional programs. The mechanisms governing permanent repression of aberrant transcription in mature neurons are not well understood. Our lab focuses on the role of repression of alternative gene programs for lifelong maintenance of serotonergic and dopaminergic identity. For a more extensive background see: Holmberg and Perlmann, Nature Review Genetics 2012and Södersten, E. et al. Nature Commun. 2018. Besides exploring fundamental processes we also aim to understand how they influence clinically relevant topics including psychiatric disorders, neurodegeneration and aging. The group also harbour an interest in the understanding of the paediatric malignancy, neuroblastoma, see: Westerlund, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017.
In this project we will generate and analyse large amounts of data from defined wild type/mutant mouse neuronal populations in order to understand the functional relevance of gene repression for safeguarding mature serotonergic and dopaminergic identity.
Position specific requirements
We are looking for an outstanding researcher able to analyse and integrate large sets of bulk and single cell RNA-seq with ChIP-seq data generated from restricted in vivo neuronal subpopulations. Additional experience with confocal image acquisition and analysis as well as with in vivo/in vitro standard methods (e.g. immunostaining, FACS, stereotactic injections, behavioural analysis and cell culture) will be considered as a distinct advantage. Thus we are primarily looking for a computational biologist with experience/interest in laboratory/animal work or an experimental biologist with extensive bioinformatic skill and interest.
The applicant must be able to communicate well in English.
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.
The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.
Type of scholarship
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.
Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:
The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.
Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its vision is to significantly contribute to the improvement of human health. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.
Pursuant to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, applications are kept on file for two years after the appointment has gained legal force. The regulations do not apply to attachments that have been printed or otherwise published.
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Johan Holmberg, johan.holmberg@ki.se
