Researcher position in translational genomics of kidney disease - Uppsala University
Published: 2020-04-02
Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our mission is to pursue top-quality research and education and to interact constructively with society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has 46.000 students, 7.300 employees and a turnover of SEK 7.3 billion.
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.
Project description: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, and about 1 in 4 adults with diabetes has kidney disease. So far, genome-wide association studies identified at least 16 DNA regions that are robustly associated with the risk of diabetic kidney disease. However, only a few of these DNA regions contain genes known to play a role in kidney disease. Identifying and characterizing mechanisms by which causal genes act is essential, since such genes may encode targets that can be translated into efficient medication in the future, and there are currently no drugs that can prevent or cure diabetic kidney disease. What’s more, model systems to systematically characterise candidate genes in vivo are not currently available.
In this project, we aim to develop and validate an image and CRISPR-Cas9-based zebrafish model system that is suitable for systematic characterization of genes and drugs with an anticipated role in kidney disease, and to use this model system to characterise candidate genes.
Work description: To make this project a success, the candidate will: 1) identify traits of relevance for kidney disease that can be visualised in zebrafish embryos or larvae using an automated microscopy set-up; 2) help develop scripts to automatically quantify such traits objectively and in high throughput, in collaboration with local image-analysis experts; 3) develop additional readouts that can be characterised at the single larval level after imaging; 4) characterise the effect of proof-of-concept exposures (i.e. metabolic challenges, exposure to chemicals or drugs, CRISPR-induced mutations in proof of concept genes) on anticipated disease-related traits; 5) use validated readouts to characterise previously unanticipated candidate genes.
This workflow additionally requires the successful candidate to 6) micro-inject to generate CRISPR founders; 7) prepare samples for downstream biochemical and sequencing analyses using a pipetting robot; 8) manage and statistically analyse large amounts of data efficiently; 9) place new results in the context of the existing knowledge base; and 10) disseminate new insights into manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at (inter)national conferences.
Qualifications: Applications are accepted from highly motivated candidates with a PhD in Molecular Biology, Molecular Epidemiology, or similar.
Applicants must have a documented and broad competence in basic molecular biology methodology, including working experience with the zebrafish as a model system, DNA mutagenesis, and fluorescence or confocal microscopy. 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 of and experience in working with the kidneys, data management, microinjections, epidemiology, biostatistics and/or image- based analyses are considered additional strenghts.
The application should include a cover letter describing yourself, your research interests and your experience relevant to this position (as described above); a CV; 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: 01-06-2020 or as otherwise agreed.
Type of employment: Temporary position ending 31-05-2022.
Scope of employment: 100 %
For further information about the position please contact: Marcel den Hoed, marcel.den_hoed@igp.uu.se, 070-4250752.
Please submit your application by 23 April 2020, UFV-PA 2020/1042.
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Submit your application through Uppsala University´s recruitment system, which can be accessed using the link below:
https://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/details/?positionId=323980
Placement: Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology
Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position longer than 6 months
Pay: Individual salary
Number of positions: 1
Working hours: 100%
Town: Uppsala
County: Uppsala län
Country: Sweden
Union representative: Seko Universitetsklubben seko@uadm.uu.se
ST/TCO tco@fackorg.uu.se
Saco-rådet saco@uadm.uu.se
Number of reference: UFV-PA 2020/1042
Last application date: 2020-04-23 Page Title
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