瑞典卡罗琳研究院2020年招收骨生物学博士后

The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of 6 divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

The Division of Pathology and the research group

The Division of Pathology is one of the divisions within the Department of Laboratory Medicine in Huddinge. Our research spans from the whole-body level down to specific tissues and organs at the molecular level. Research is conducted in close collaboration with other departments at KI and also the Karolinska University Hospital.

The research group pf Assistant Professor Tuomas Näreoja is part of a highly interactive research environment within the fields of bone biology, cancer research and regenerative medicine.

The main research focus of Dr. Näreojas’s group is to understand signaling in bone remodeling, osteoclast function and inflammatory bone resorption and osteolysis. The group’s long-term aim will be to screen better small molecule drugs for osteoporosis; detect and alleviate inflammatory bone resorption; and to produce bone for applications in regenerative medicine. Dr. Näreoja’s current work focuses on pre-clinical in vitro studies on communication between bone resorbing osteoclasts (OC), osteocytes (OY) inhabiting channels inside bone and bone mineralizing osteoblasts (OB) as they remake bone; and development of diagnostics for inflammatory osteolysis.

Project description

The primary aims of the proposed project are to:

Further develop our 3D in vitro model (Deguchi et al. 2016) to include OYs, OCs, and OBs, and functionalization (e.g. proteins, NO and pH-probes).

Elucidate and understand the coupling mechanisms in the intertwined signaling between OCs, OBs and OYs in mineralization. While OYs stimulate differentiation of OCs and OBs they also inhibit it by osteoprotegerin and sclerostin, respectively. In our model we can examine the impact of the signals in a sub-cellular resolution enabling us to establish precise molecular mechanisms. The hydrogel allows diffusion of added modulators and bone particle size of sub-wavelength of visible light enables tracking of the induced modulation.

Learn how to modulate balance between mineralization and resorption in an in vitro model replicating the bone-remodeling unit, and to establish quantifiable parameters to describe effects of drug candidates have on the balance of the bone remodeling cycle. In the in vitro model complemented with appropriate growth factors we are able to test osteoinductive drugs in an environment that is able to model their impact on the surrounding signaling network.

Entry requirements

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.

Your profile

We are seeking a highly talented and enthusiastic Postdoctoral fellow with a Ph.D. degree and a background in 3D model development and bone biology and/or cell biology, as well as a strong track record in research. Candidates with extensive experience in stem cell research, cell signaling advanced cell culture protocols and experience with single-cell transcriptomics and cell sorting are encouraged to apply. Knowledge in bone remodeling, osteoclastogenesis, OB differentiation OB-OC – coupling and osteocyte cultures is preferable. State-of-the-art experience with high-content imaging and analysis is a merit.

The successful candidate should be self-motivated and able to keep herself/himself informed on developments of the relevant research field, and also, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and organizational skills. The candidate must be able to integrate well into the group and the international and multidisciplinary research environment as a whole. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is a requirement. The selected candidate will be a part of a team, and collaborate closely with graduate and undergraduate students.

Location: Flemingsberg

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

The application must contain the following documents in English:

· Motivation letter, including a summary of applicant’s current research and Ph.D. studies (max two A4 pages).

· A complete Curriculum Vitae, including date of the thesis defense, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position and academic distinctions presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s qualifications portfolio.

https://ki.se/en/about/qualifications-portfolio-for-teachers-and-researchers

· A complete list of publications with description of the applicant’s role in the publication.

· Verification from the thesis defense committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defense is scheduled within three months after the application deadline).

· Names and contact details of two persons who are familiar with the applicant’s recent research and training and are able to provide a letter of reference.

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