Research Assistant in Protein Biochemistry and Amyloid Research

Research Assistant in Protein Biochemistry and Amyloid Research

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

We are looking for a research assistant to join team leader Gefei Chen, part of Janne Johanssons research group, at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, for a four-month fixed-term position. Our research focuses on protein misfolding, amyloid formation and molecular mechanisms that regulate amyloid aggregation. The successful candidate will work in an active and collaborative research environment and contribute to ongoing biochemical and biophysical studies of BRICHOS proteins and their anti-amyloid activity.

Your Mission

The research assistant will contribute to an ongoing project investigating the assembly states, biochemical properties and anti-amyloid activity of BRICHOS proteins. The work includes recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization, as well as functional assays to assess how purified proteins influence amyloid formation and aggregation. The project aims to better understand BRICHOS proteins and how their biochemical properties relate to their anti-amyloid activity.

The main duties include contributing to recombinant protein expression, purification and biochemical characterization of BRICHOS proteins. The work involves optimization of expression and purification workflows, including bacterial expression, affinity purification, size-exclusion chromatography, SDS-PAGE analysis and preparation of protein samples for downstream biochemical, biophysical and functional studies. The research assistant will also support amyloid aggregation assays, preparation of isotope-labelled protein samples for NMR-related collaborations when needed, data analysis, documentation and general laboratory routines.

The work will contribute to the development, optimization and application of workflows for recombinant protein expression, purification and biochemical characterization, supporting ongoing studies of how BRICHOS proteins affect amyloid aggregation pathways.

Your Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and careful person with a background in biomedicine, biotechnology, molecular biology, biochemistry, protein science or a related field. The position requires previous hands-on laboratory experience in recombinant protein work and biochemical analysis.

• Relevant educational background in biomedicine, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, protein science, or a related field.
• Practical laboratory experience with recombinant protein production, purification, and characterization.
• Familiarity with standard protein biochemistry techniques, such as electrophoresis and chromatographic purification.
• Good understanding of protein folding, aggregation, amyloid biology, or related biochemical concepts.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot experiments, keep accurate records, and communicate effectively in English.

• Previous experience with amyloid-related proteins, protein aggregation assays, or protein stability studies.
• Experience with fluorescence-based biochemical assays and/or chromatographic protein purification systems, such as ÄKTA/FPLC.
• Experience with preparing, analyzing, and presenting experimental data for reports, presentations, or manuscripts.

The successful candidate should be responsible, detail-oriented and able to contribute effectively to a short-term research project where continuity, technical accuracy, troubleshooting ability and good documentation are important. Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

Location: Campus Flemingsberg

Links: Department of Medicine, Huddinge Gefei Chens Team Group