瑞典KTH皇家理工学院和卡罗林斯卡学院博士后职位招聘–神经科学、生物学、生物工程

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy.

The workplace

This scholarship is to be based in the Winkler Lab. We are a highly interdisciplinary, dynamic, and international team with the goal of solving life science challenges using microsystems tools. A key focus area of our Lab is so-called Organs-on-Chips, microfluidic cell culture systems that strive to better recapitulate human physiological function in vitro. We are part of the Division of Micro- and Nanosystems at KTH.

This scholarship will be conducted jointly with the Applied Developmental Neurobiology group of Prof. Sellgren at Karolinska Institute. The group uses models of the developing human brain (based on induced pluripotent stem cells; iPSC) to study mechanisms that guide neurodevelopment and that are involved in different neurodevelopmental disorders (using genetic and environmental risk models). Substantial portions of the work may be carried out at laboratory facilities at Karolinska Institute and SciLifeLab.

Project description

Our 5-year ERC-funded project CHIPzophrenia aims to elucidate how oxidative and nitrosative stressors disrupt the complex multicellular interactions of the blood-brain barrier, with a particular focus on perivascular cell involvement in schizophrenia. Your postdoctoral research project is expected to leverage iPSC culture and differentiation to establish and refine suitable cellular models of healthy and diseased neurovascular cells, and to study how cellular behavior is altered under exposure to relevant stressors. Validation and analysis of the models is expected to include biomolecular techniques ranging from imaging to rt-qPCR to metabolomics. While your work will initially focus on “traditional” 2D and 3D plate-based culture, working closely with other biologists, you will also be expected to collaborate with our engineering team as they develop the microfluidic culture and sensor systems.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline, in neuroscience, biology, bioengineering, or similar
• Extensive expertise in, and practical experience with, iPSC culture and differentiation, substantiated by peer-reviewed publications
• Exceptional drive, organizational skills, ability to work independently, and collaborative spirit
• Strong communication skills, as well as fluency in oral & written English

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge on and experience with the neurovascular unit and its constituent cells
• Interest also in interdisciplinary and collaborative work to combine biology with microsystems
• Experience writing, or contributing to, research grant applications
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a particular focus on gender equality

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Application

Apply to this scholarship by e-mail to Assoc. Prof. Thomas E Winkler. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad. Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than 2024-08-06. Mark your application with reference number J-2024-1870.

The application must include the following documents:

• Motivation letter and research statement (max. 3 pages combined) on:
  – why you are interested in this scholarship, and why you are the right person to fill it;
  – a brief outline of your prior research experience;
  – a short note on your strongest and/or most relevant research paper, regarding why you selected it, and what specifically you contributed; as well as
  – a sketch of research ideas
• Curriculum vitae, including contact information for three references

Please observe that you apply for a scholarship, not an employment.

About the position/positions

Period: 12 months with possibility for renewal

Scholarship: 29 000 kr/month. The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis.