Uppsala University, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology

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 450 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.

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 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 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 project is part of an international collaboration that aims to characterise diabetes candidate genes using a range of approaches and model systems. The zebrafish arm of the project includes: 1) generating mutants using CRISPR/Cas9; 2) imaging diabetes-related traits using an automated positioning system and fluorescence microscope; 3) preparing samples for downstream analyses; 4) objectively quantifying imaging data; 5) quality control and analysis of sequencing or fragment length PCR data; 6) integrating multidisciplinary data and statistical analysis; 7) methods development and innovation; 8) writing reports and presenting results to the consortium and at international meetings;  and 9) 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, with at least five years of relevant research experience at post-doctoral level. 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, microinjections, use of zebrafish as a model system, 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 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.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: 01-06-2021or 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, marcel.den_hoed@igp.uu.se.

Please submit your application by May 6 2021, UFV-PA 2021/1170.

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Type of employment Permanent position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2021-06-01
Salary Individual salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2021/1170
Union representative
  • Seko Universitetsklubben, seko@uadm.uu.se
  • ST/TCO, tco@fackorg.uu.se
  • Saco-rådet, saco@uadm.uu.se
Published 22.Apr.2021
Last application date 06.May.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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