1 Researcher position in translational genomics - 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 420 million, out of which more than half is made up of external funding. The staff amounts to approximately 345 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 700 affiliated people.

One position as a researcher is available in Dr Marcel den Hoed’s group. The research group aims to translate findings from large-scale genetic association studies for cardiometabolic diseases in humans using in vivo, largely image-based model systems.

Project description: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of genetic loci that are robustly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases. With few exceptions, the causal genes in these loci remain 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 causal genes and mechanisms. 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 in vivo.

The overall aim of our research is to identify and characterise causal genes in GWAS-identified loci (amongst other -omics efforts) for cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases using zebrafish model systems.

Duties: The duties of the researcher will be twofold.

Firstly, the successful candidate will work on, and contribute to projects aiming to characterise a large number of candidate genes for cardiometabolic diseases using validated image- and CRISPR/Cas9-based pipelines. Key tasks include: 1) designing and synthesising CRISPR/Cas9 gRNAs; 2) preparing zebrafish larvae for imaging; 3) imaging larvae for disease-related traits using an automated positioning system and fluorescence microscope; 4) preparing samples for additional experiments, e.g. biochemistry, sequencing and/or fragment length PCR analyses; 5) objective quantification of imaging data using existing pipelines; and 6) data management, quality control, and statistical analysis of data. These projects are performed by a team consisting of a project coordinator, research engineers, post-doctoral researchers and PhD students. The researcher will be an important member of this team.

Secondly, the researcher will be involved in the writing of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, based on existing and new data. The researcher is also expected to help draft and proof-read e.g. grant applications, ethical permits for the use of laboratory animals, and progress reports for grants. The researcher is expected to keep abreast with the state of the field, recognise needs and opportunities for further methods development, and work on and/or supervise such methods development efforts when desirable and feasible. Weekend work can occur.

The successful candidate will be placed in the den Hoed research group (http://igp.uu.se/forskning/ genetik_genomik/marcel-den-hoed/). The project is funded by a collaboration with industry.

Requirements: Applications are accepted from highly motivated candidates with a PhD in Molecular biology or similar and at least three years of post-doctoral experience. Experience working with CRISPR/Cas9 and automated fluorescence microscopy are prerequisites. A successful candidate should be a goal oriented, organised, reliable team player that can also work independently. Being able to plan ahead and prioritise in accordance with project goals and deadlines are essential characteristics of a successful candidate. Good academic writing skills and an aptitude for writing are required, and should be illustrated in your publications. Basic documented data management and NGS data analysis skills are also required, as are basic biostatistics skills. Prior knowledge of, and experience in zebrafish husbandry, microinjections, and development of image quantification scripts are merits.

The application should include a cover letter describing yourself, your research interests, your experience with each of the requirements described above, and your availability. A CV; a list of accepted or published papers in peer-reviewed journals; a PhD certificate; and contact details for at least two reference persons should also be included. Letters of recommendation can also be included.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: 01-08-2020 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Permanent position, probationary period may be applied.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: 
Marcel den Hoed, PhD, phone +46-70-425 07 52, marcel.den_hoed@igp.uu.se

Please submit your application by July 16 2020, UFV-PA 2020/2560.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.