Research Engineer Full-time

Research Engineer

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focusing on cancer, genetic and autoimmune diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby promote closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently organized in six research programs: Cancer Precision Medicine, Cancer Immunotherapy, Genomics and Neurobiology, Molecular Tools and Functional Genomics, Neuro-Oncology and Neurodegeneration and Vascular Biology. Departmental activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Uppsala University Hospital. The department has teaching assignments in several education programs, including Master Programs, at the Faculty of Medicine. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 550 million, out of which about two thirds derive from external funding. IGP has approximately 400 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 850 affiliated staff members.

Our team investigates cardiovascular mechanosensation during development and develops genetic tools to investigate gene function. The position focuses on managing a research team using zebrafish as a model organism. The research engineer will also carry out hands-on experimental work within our ongoing projects and take responsibility for establishing and running standard experiments in the group. Key responsibilities include:

• Organize and maintain the laboratory, including managing inventories, ordering reagents and consumables using inventory and order management software, and ensuring a clean and functional workspace.
• Perform support experiments such as genotyping PCR, molecular cloning, and zebrafish line maintenance.
• Assist with zebrafish breeding and care in accordance with institutional and ethical guidelines.
• Contribute to the research projects of the group on cardiovascular mechanosensation, including experimental design and data analysis, with co-authorship on the resulting publications.
• Generate and characterize new zebrafish lines, including CRISPR-Cas9 knock-ins and transgenesis by microinjection.
• Acquire and quantify confocal imaging data from zebrafish embryos.
• Collaborate closely with the group leader to ensure smooth operation of laboratory activities.
• Develop and drive an independent side project in agreement with the group leader.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in biology, molecular biology, biomedicine, or equivalent laboratory experience.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage laboratory operations efficiently.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative and supportive attitude.
• Strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail.
• Documented hands-on experimental research experience, for example from a Master's thesis project or a previous research position.
• Ability to plan and troubleshoot experiments independently, and to interpret and present the resulting data.
• Good communication skills and fluency in English, spoken and written.

Additional qualifications:

• Experience with zebrafish, including line maintenance, microinjection, and CRISPR genome engineering.
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques such as PCR, cloning, and genotyping.
• Previous training in Swedish Legislation & Ethics, Animal Welfare, and the 3Rs, as well as Laboratory Animal Science for zebrafish.
• Experience with laboratory ordering and inventory systems.
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy of live embryos and with quantitative image analysis in Fiji/ImageJ.
• Experience in supervising or training students at the bench.
• Positive and dynamic personality, with a willingness to contribute to a collaborative team environment.

About the employment:

The employment is a permanent position, probationary period may be applied. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.