Postdoctoral researcher in mass cytometry and cellular immunology in collaboration with WASP and DDLS
Karolinska Institutet
Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?
The Petter Brodin’s research group located at Science for Life Laboratory-Stockholm is a part of the Unit of Clinical Pediatrics, which is a broad, multi-disciplinary unit at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet. The group develops and applies experimental and computational research methods for systems-level analyses of the human immune system. The aim of the team is to understand immune systems’ variation in health and disease and the regulatory mechanisms underlying such variation and adaptation to environmental influences. Another important focus is the development of immune systems in early life. The group is half experimental and half computational, with an interdisciplinary environment.
In the Brodin lab, the team uses state-of-the-art single cell technologies to study human systems immunology, of which mass cytometry being one of the most advanced cytometric platforms is used extensively in many different studies by the lab. Samples, mostly from blood or isolated PBMCs are multiplexed and stained using a unique liquid handling robotic platform, that stains cells with metal-tagged antibodies and acquire data using automated mass cytometers.
The Brodin lab is looking to hire a postdoc responsible for the processing of samples and acquisition of data by Mass cytometry. The work is hands-on in the laboratory and involves sample preparation, antibody coupling to rare-earth metal probes, reagent preparations and running of the liquid handling robotic platform for sample preparation and acquisition of samples by mass cytometry. This position is full time employment, 40h week.
This position is part of a joint collaboration between the two largest research programs in Sweden, the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) and the SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS), with the ultimate goal of solving ground-breaking research questions across disciplines.
Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The program addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems. The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish industry. Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/
The SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS) is a 12-year initiative that focuses on data-driven research, within fields essential for improving the people´s lives, detecting and treating diseases, protecting biodiversity and creating sustainability. The programme will train the next generation of life scientists and create a strong computational and data science base. The program aims to strengthen national collaborations between universities, bridge the research communities of life sciences and data sciences, and create partnerships with industry, healthcare and other national and international actors. Read more: https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven
Your mission
The responsibilities of this postdoc candidate in the lab will mainly involve:
Mass cytometry specific tasks:
- Conjugation of antibodies to metal isotopes that are used as probes in mass cytometry
- Testing and titrating probes by mass cytometry (and validation by flow cytometry when needed)
- Analyzing mass cytometry data by FlowJo, FCSExpress or custom scripting in r/python.
- Meticulous and error free maintenance of antibody database/inventory in the lab on a continuous basis
- Understanding the technology and operating the mass cytometer instruments by working closely with the person responsible for mass cytometry in the group
- Learning to use the automated robotic platforms for various steps in mass cytometry experimentation and maintenance of the robotic set up for efficient and error free performance
- Acquisition of samples, monitoring and attending to the machine when desired
- Following the routines established in the lab for maintenance of the mass cytometers
- Systematic recording of experiments and tasks performed
Other tasks in the lab: clinical sample reception, processing and recording the sample/subject metadata in the database, performing any other experimental research project-related tasks like setting up cell cultures, stimulations of cells, harvesting cells and so on.
Your profile
Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. 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) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant’s main supervisor, director or equivalent.
The successful candidate must have prior experience in mass cytometry experimentation such as cell staining and sample processing, sample acquisition, experience in analyzing ‘mass cytometry’ data by FlowJo or similar (experience with other tools for analysis is a plus), sample barcoding and antibody staining procedures for mass cytometry, setting up cell cultures, blood sample handling, experience of method development with iterative testing of protocols and careful documentation, meticulous and systematic record maintenance. The successful candidate must be thriving in interdisciplinary environments and should be dedicated to performing the tasks assigned in the lab error free and with great care. The candidate must be comfortable to work both independently and in collaboration with the mass cytometry/cellular immunology team lead (by following specific instructions) and other members of the team (when necessary) and contribute to the team’s concerted efforts. The candidate must have good communication skills in English as the team is multicultural and interdisciplinary.
A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the following criteria:
- Strictly documented experience in some of the aforementioned requirements without which we do not encourage the candidates to apply
- Proven experience of mass cytometry and flow cytometry (prior knowledge of mass cytometry is a must)
- A background in immunology is valuable.
- Prior lab experience through documented publications and knowledge in biology and flow cytometry. Publications in mass cytometry will be a plus.
- Motivation letter showing specific interest in the project and job description above as per the strict requirements
The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.
What do we offer?
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 better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.
Location: Solna, SciLifeLab
Application
An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:
- A complete resumé, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
- A complete list of publications
- A summary of current work (no more than one page)
Welcome to apply at the latest December 23rd 2021.
The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.