Opis pozicije
The Department of Laboratory Medicine conducts cutting-edge research and education spanning basic, translational, and clinical medicine. The department consists of several research divisions that work in close collaboration with healthcare, industry, and international academic partners to develop innovative therapies for human disease.
The research group of Professor Samir EL Andaloussi focuses on one of the greatest challenges facing modern therapeutics: the efficient delivery of biological medicines to target tissues in vivo. The group develops advanced technologies for the delivery of proteins, RNAs, and genome-editing systems, with particular emphasis on extrahepatic applications. The group is internationally recognized for pioneering work in nanoparticle engineering, targeted drug delivery, and gene therapy.
Your mission
As a postdoctoral research scholar, you will work closely with other team members to design and implement strategies for the targeted delivery of various oligonucleotide cargoes (e.g., ASOs, siRNAs). A central aspect of the role involves evaluating different targeting ligands and conjugation chemistries to develop RNA conjugates capable of reaching specific organs and tissues following in vivo delivery. You will lead the biological evaluation of these conjugates, developing and optimizing methods to assess their activity and comparing the activity and tissue selectivity of conjugated siRNAs and ASOs across organs. You will also develop and optimize methods to assess the activity of these conjugates, examining how their physicochemical properties influence systemic distribution and performance. Ultimately, the rational design of conjugates will be correlated with their targeting and delivery efficiency in both in vitro and in vivo models using relevant cell systems and animal studies.
Your profile
To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.
We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with a strong background in oligonucleotide conjugate delivery and in vivo biodistribution studies.
Key areas of expertise:
In vitro characterization
Develop and implement methods to characterize the physicochemical properties of oligonucleotide conjugates (e.g., aggregation behavior by CAC assays and DLS, albumin/serum protein binding).
Utilize in vitro screening models to assess potency and delivery efficiency of oligonucleotide conjugates.
Preferred but not required: Investigate mechanisms of intracellular uptake and endosomal escape, including development of novel analytical methods.
Laboratory animal science
Extensive hands-on experience in mouse handling, including administration routes (e.g., IV, IP) and surgical procedures relevant to delivery studies.
Experience designing and running single- and repeat-dose in vivo studies, including multi-organ tissue harvesting.
Strong understanding of ethics, approved procedures, and animal welfare; meticulous record-keeping and regulatory compliance.
Proven track record in evaluating biodistribution of oligonucleotide-based modalities in mouse models.
Preferred but not required: Experience with stereotaxic surgery (e.g., intracerebral administration), toxicity studies and in vivo imaging (e.g., IVIS, bioluminescence, fluorescence).
Molecular and cellular biology expertise:
Proficiency in mammalian cell culture and transient transfections.
Experience with tissue homogenization and RNA isolation from multiple organs.
Expertise in quantitative assays to evaluate the outcome of in vitro and in vivo studies related to oligonucleotide delivery, such as gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR) or oligonucleotide detection methods (e.g., dPCR, SplintR).
Preferred but not required: Experience with flow cytometry for tissue/cell uptake analysis, single-cell sorting, and RNA sequencing.
In addition, excellent proficiency in both spoken and written English is essential. We are looking for an energetic and passionate individual who actively contributes to our team and thrives in a collaborative environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required, along with the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks. Meticulous attention to detail, excellent documentation practices, and a proactive approach to troubleshooting are highly valued.
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. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical 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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.
Location: Flemingsberg