Researcher position in translational genomics of diabetes - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University (www.igp.uu.se) has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on cancer, autoimmune and genetic diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently conducted in the following areas: medical and clinical genetics, clinical immunology, pathology, neuro-oncology, vascular biology, radiation science and molecular tools. Department activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala. The department has teaching assignments in several education programmes, including Master Programmes, at the Faculty of Medicine, and in a number of educations at the Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 400 million, out of which more than half is made up of external funding. The staff amounts to approximately 340 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 600 affiliated people.

Project description:
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 100s of genetic loci that are robustly associated with the risk of diabetes. With few exceptions, the causal genes in these loci are currently uncharacterised.
Before results from GWAS can be translated into the clinic - for example as novel biomarkers or drug targets - we need to identify and characterise the causal genes in these loci. Recent developments in CRISPR-Cas9-based mutagenesis, high-throughput imaging, and image-based analyses have highlighted the zebrafish as a promising model system for systematic, large-scale genetic screens.
The overall aim of the proposed project is to identify and characterise causal genes in GWAS-identified loci for diabetes using zebrafish model systems.

Work description:
The position is funded by an international collaborative grant that aims to characterise diabetes candidate genes using human beta-cells (Oxford), drosophila (Stanford) and zebrafish (Uppsala). The zebrafish arm of the project includes: 1) generating and maintaining mutant lines using a multiplexed approach, i.e. studying the effect of multiple genes simultaneously; 2) imaging diabetes-related traits using an automated positioning system and fluorescence microscope; 3) preparing samples for downstream analyses and paired-end sequencing; 4) objectively quantifying image-based data; 5) quality control and analysis of sequencing results; 6) integrating multidisciplinary data and statistical analysis; 7) writing reports and presenting results to the consortium and at international meetings;  and 8) disseminating results in manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications:
Applications are accepted from highly motivated candidates with a PhD in Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Molecular Epidemiology, or similar.
Applicants must have a documented and broad competence in basic molecular biology methodology and biostatistics. A successful candidate should be a highly motivated, organised, reliable team player that can also work independently and is proficient in communicating in English, both orally and in writing. Prior knowledge and experience in fluorescence microscopy, epidemiology, programming and/or image- based analyses are a bonus.

The application should include a cover letter describing yourself, your research interests and your experience relevant to this position; a CV/resume; a verified list of MSc course grades and PhD certificate; a list of publications in peer-reviewed journals; and contact details for at least two reference persons. If available, letters of recommendation can also be included.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Type of employment: Temporary employment of two years.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For more information contact:
Marcel den Hoed: marcel.den_hoed@igp.uu.se, +46(0)70-425 0752

Please submit your application by 15 September 2019, UFV-PA 2019/2692.

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