Research Assistant in Experimental Neurobiology and Advanced Imaging

Karolinska Institutet (KI) · Solna, Sweden

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Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

We are seeking a Research Assistant to join Patrik Ernfors' research group at the Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet. The group studies the somatosensory nervous system and the mechanisms underlying touch, temperature sensation, itch, and pain. By combining molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience approaches, the research focuses on sensory neurons, neural circuits, and the mechanisms involved in acute and chronic pain.

The position is based at Biomedicum in Solna, a highly international research environment with access to state-of-the-art core facilities. We welcome applicants who hold a Master's degree in a relevant biological discipline, or who are expected to complete such a degree before the start of employment.

This position is well suited for candidates at an early stage of their research career who have a strong interest in hands-on laboratory research, advanced microscopy, and experimental neuroscience.

Your mission

As a Research Assistant, you will provide practical and scientific support to several ongoing projects within the Ernfors laboratory. The role is broad and involves close collaboration with researchers in the group to prepare biological samples, perform experiments, generate and analyze microscopy data, and contribute to the efficient and high-quality progression of research projects.

The work has a strong focus on experimental neurobiology, histology, and advanced image analysis. Tasks will be planned in consultation with supervising researchers, and training will be provided when needed for new methods and techniques.

Main responsibilities

Prepare, process, and document neural tissue and other biological samples for histological, immunohistochemical, and imaging-based analyses.
Perform tissue sectioning using cryostat and/or vibratome and contribute to immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization experiments.
Conduct whole-tissue clearing and immunolabeling, including sample preparation for three-dimensional imaging.
Acquire microscopy data using confocal and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy according to established protocols.
Process, organize, and quantitatively analyze microscopy data using relevant image analysis tools and atlas-registration workflows.
Document experiments and manage large imaging datasets in accordance with the group's data management and quality assurance procedures.
Assist with reagent preparation, sample handling, and routine laboratory operations.
Present results at group meetings and collaborate closely with researchers within the laboratory.
Support additional molecular, histological, and imaging-based methods as project needs evolve.

Who are you?

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant with a strong interest in neuroscience and experimental laboratory research. You are well organized, collaborative, and enjoy working in a research environment that involves interaction with multiple researchers and contributions to several parallel projects. You are responsible, flexible, and eager to learn new methods and techniques.

Required qualifications

Master's degree in Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Neuroscience, or a related field, or an equivalent degree expected to be completed before the start of employment.
Documented hands-on experience working in a biological or biomedical research laboratory.
Experience with tissue preparation, histology, immunofluorescence, and/or microscopy-based methods.
Ability to follow established protocols, handle biological samples with a high degree of precision, and maintain structured experimental records.
Experience with digital data management and standard software for documentation and analysis.
Excellent written and spoken English, as English is the working language of the research group.
Strong collaboration skills and the ability to independently plan and carry out assigned tasks.

Meritorious qualifications

Experience with whole-tissue clearing and immunolabeling methods, such as iDISCO+ or related techniques.
Experience with light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and/or three-dimensional tissue imaging.
Experience with cryostat or vibratome sectioning, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence, or RNAscope.
Experience with image processing and quantitative image analysis using Fiji/ImageJ or similar software.
Experience with brain atlas registration or analysis tools such as BrainGlobe.
Experience with transcardial perfusion, tissue collection, and dissection of nervous system tissues.
Practical experience with molecular biology techniques such as gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, restriction digestion, ligation, transformation, or DNA assembly.
Knowledge of sensory neurobiology, somatosensation, pain mechanisms, or related areas of neuroscience.
Experience presenting scientific results and working in international and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

What do we offer?

You will work in an international and inspiring research environment at one of the world's leading medical universities. As a Research Assistant in the Ernfors laboratory, you will become part of a dedicated team with broad expertise in molecular neurobiology and systems neuroscience, offering excellent opportunities to develop both experimental and analytical skills.

The Ernfors laboratory investigates how the nervous system mediates touch, temperature sensation, itch, and pain, with a particular focus on the mechanisms underlying acute and chronic pain. The group is based at Biomedicum in Solna and has access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure within a highly collaborative and international environment.

Karolinska Institutet's vision is to advance knowledge about life and strive towards better health for all. As an employee, you will benefit from attractive employment conditions, collective agreement benefits, and wellness benefits.

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

A complete resumé, 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 (if any)
A summary of current work (no more than one page)
A personal letter

KI applies individual and differentiated salary setting in accordance with our collective agreements RALS and RALS-T.

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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