Research Specialist in neuronal networks, with a focus on the neuroendocrine system Part-time

Research Specialist in Neuronal Networks, With a Focus on the Neuroendocrine System

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

In this project you will search for answers on how the brain controls the body's hormones. In the search for these answers, you will apply several cutting-edge experimental techniques in an internationally leading community. The experiences from this work will prepare you for a future as an independent research leader.

Description of the Subject Area

The employee will take part in a project aimed at elucidating the organizing principles of the brain's neuronal networks, with a particular focus on the central control of hormone release through the neuroendocrine system. The researcher will independently perform experiments on research animals (rodents), or tissue from research animals, and analyze the data obtained through these experiments. The experiments will to a large part consist of recording of the activity of neurons through electrophysiological techniques, but also fluorescence-based visualization of cellular calcium fluxes. In addition, data will be recorded on the structure of the nervous system through confocal microscopy, and subsequently analyzed.

Your Mission

The position entails leading both bigger and smaller projects. Participation in general group activities and responsibilities for the laboratory's maintenance and development are also part of the duties. Supervision and demonstration of laboratory practices are also included in the work – primarily supervision of other research group members and university students.

Eligibility Requirements

For employment as Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements stated in the Guidelines for non-teaching positions at Karolinska Institutet are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

To be eligible for employment as a Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree, the applicant must have demonstrated research expertise as well as have documented postdoctoral research experience.

The doctoral degree should have been awarded in neuroscience, or a related discipline. You must have documented experience of independently planning, implementing and analyzing results from experimental studies of the electrical properties of neurons through the patch clamp technique. You must have documented experience of hands-on work with experimental animals, and be FELASA-certified for animal research. You should have thorough knowledge of the organization and functional characteristics of the central nervous system. Since the research group has an international composition, and relevant literature is published in English, and as the research will be communicated towards a global audience, proficiency in writing, speaking and understanding English is a requirement. You need to have a good aptitude for team work, and leading a project from start to completion.

Assessment Criteria

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

It is a considerable advantage to be able to independently visualize nerve cell activity through calcium imaging, and to be able to independently analyze results from such experiments. It is also a merit to be experienced in confocal microscopy. Applicants whose work has been published in international peer-review journals will be prioritized during review. Knowledge about, and experience of working with the brain's neuroendocrine system is a considerable advantage as this will be the focus of the work. We welcome applicants with a talent for teaching, since the project includes supervision of students in a laboratory setting. Personal characteristics will be given considerable consideration in the selection of the successful candidate.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

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. Here, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Solna

Application

We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: PhD certificate, resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T. Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.