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Division
The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of seven divisions that conduct both research and teaching. The department is involved in advanced research, encompassing both basic and applied research. All divisions operate in close collaboration with clinicians at the Karolinska University Hospital. The Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM) focuses on the use of modified biomolecules, cells, and cell products as new therapeutic agents, as well as the identification and study of suitable biomolecular and cellular targets for therapy and diagnostics. The division is also connected to the Karolinska ATMP Center.
Our research efforts in the EL Andaloussi´s lab focus on one of the greatest challenges facing modern therapeutics; the delivery of macromolecules to target cells in vivo. Despite the unprecedented knowledge of diseases and their mechanisms due to advances in biomedical sciences; many promising therapeutic approaches are still clinically unavailable. This is simply because there is no efficient means of delivering these therapeutics to the right organ with the right dose. Our research performance involves developing novel and innovative drug delivery technologies that can carry proteins, RNAs, or gene therapies to the target tissues safely and efficiently.
One of the delivery modalities that we exploit is extracellular vesicles (EVs); natural nanoparticles that are able to convey genetic material from one cell to another. We have developed a range of genetic engineering strategies to modify EVs for the purpose of drug delivery. In this project, we will develop novel engineered EVs that permits improved targeting of specific cell types with gene editors.
Duties
As a postdoctoral research scholar in this project, different genetic engineering strategies to tether targeting antibodies to EVs will be compared to chemical engineering strategies. Ultimately, these engineered EVs will be used for targeted delivery of gene editors either as mRNAs or RNP complexes.
Most of the research will initially be conducted utilizing cell lines. The work will involve developing stable cell lines for production of EVs engineered to harbor reporter proteins, with or without a therapeutic/targeting domain. The stable cells will be used to produce EVs to compare their uptake efficiency and impact on recipient cells. The uptake will subsequently be compared to EVs that are chemically engineered with targeting domains. Next, targeted EVs loaded with gene editing modalities will be tested in vitro and in vivo.
Entry requirements
Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
The eligible candidate for the above-mentioned Postdoctoral Researcher position should hold a PhD degree dated no more than 7 years before the last date of employment as postdoc. The term can be extended under special circumstances.
We are seeking a highly qualified candidate with a strong background in cell biology and extensive experience in cell culture techniques. The candidate must have expertise in advanced gene editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, Base Editing, and Prime Editing, with a particular emphasis on plasmid recombination and construction. The position requires hands-on laboratory experience with extracellular vesicles (EVs), including both endogenous and exogenous loading methods, as well as proficiency in tissue-targeting peptide modifications for enhanced EV functionality.
Key Areas of Expertise:
- Gene Editing and Molecular Biology: Demonstrated proficiency in CRISPR/Cas9, Base Editing, and Prime Editing, with advanced skills in plasmid recombination and construction. Experience in molecular-level modifications to support gene editing applications is essential.
- Cell Culture and Animal Models: Extensive experience in cell culture work and proficiency in handling mouse models for in vivo studies, including experimental design and execution.
- EV purification: Practical expertise in EV isolation, purification, and characterization, with specific skills in endogenous and exogenous loading of EVs for therapeutic or research purposes. Proficiency in purification techniques such as size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), ultrafiltration (UF), affinity-based approaches, and ultracentrifugation (UC).
- EV Characterization: Strong experience with nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) for EV and nanoparticle characterization.
- Protein Characterization: Expertise in protein analysis techniques, including mass spectrometry and western blotting, to evaluate protein expression and modifications.
- Chemical Conjugation: Proficiency in chemical conjugation techniques, particularly click chemistry, for functionalizing EVs or other biomolecules.
- Microscopy and Flow Cytometry: Hands-on experience with microscopy and flow cytometry for cellular and EV analysis.
- Tissue-Targeting Peptide Modifications: Specialized knowledge in designing and implementing tissue-targeting peptide modifications to enhance the specificity and efficacy of EVs in therapeutic applications.
In addition, excellent proficiency in both spoken and written English is important. We are looking for an energetic and passionate person who fits in, and actively contributes to our team. Strong collaborative skills is a requirement.
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 innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical 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. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.
Location: Flemingsberg
Type of scholarship
The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.
Application process
An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:
- A complete curriculum vitae, 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)
The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.
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Anställningsform: postdoktorala studier | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100% | Ort: Huddinge | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: STÖD 2-3235/2025 | Kontakt: Samir El Andaloussi Professor [email protected], | Facklig företrädare: Carina Eklund OFR 08-58582665, Annica Lindkvist SACO [email protected], Henry Wölling SEKO [email protected], | Publicerat: 2025-08-18 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2025-09-01
