Professor in RNA Biology

- with focus on research

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet is engaged in research and education in the fields of infection biology, immunology, cancer biology and cell biology. Within the fields of infection and cell biology, the area of RNA biology and genomics have been identified as important areas of investigation to complement current research at the Department. With this professorship, MTC aims to further strengthen its competence in Data-Driven Life Sciences and foster interdisciplinary collaborations across KI.

Description of the subject area

RNA, once regarded simply as a messenger in the central dogma of molecular biology, is now acknowledged as a multifaceted molecule with diverse functions extending beyond protein synthesis. Advances in RNA biology and genomics have revolutionized our comprehension of genetic regulation and molecular processes within cells. In the context of microorganisms, RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression has been demonstrated to play a role in antibiotic resistance, immune evasion and environmental adaptation across bacteria, fungi, and viruses. High-throughput sequencing technologies have transformed our capacity to profile the transcriptomes of diverse microbial species, shedding light on the dynamic interplay between coding and non-coding RNAs, as well as the role of post-transcriptional regulation in microbial gene expression. Understanding RNA-mediated mechanisms holds immense promise for the development of novel RNA-targeted therapeutics and diagnostic tools and is fundamental to our understanding of biology.

Your mission

We are looking for a person who is an academic leader within RNA biology and genomics and conducts high quality research in the field. You will mainly work with research and education in RNA biology, focusing on the molecular understanding of gene expression in eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms. You are expected to strengthen the department’s research using state-of-the-art methods in genomics, bioinformatics and RNA biology. You are expected to engage in interdisciplinary research at national and international level and contribute to the department’s expertise in Data Driven Life-Science. You will also contribute to teaching in post-graduate, graduate, and undergraduate education.

You are also expected to have significant external grants obtained in competition and to conduct research at a level that is likely to secure sufficient funding in the future.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for an employment as Professor with focus on research the applicant must have demonstrated excellent scientific expertise and good pedagogical expertise (See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet, dnr 1-23/2022).

 The department is looking for a person with a well-documented and internationally recognized research profile in microbial RNA biology.

Assessment criteria

The Professorship has a focus on research. The assessment will weight qualifications as follows: scientific expertise (3), pedagogical expertise (1), leadership, development and collaboration expertise (2).

For employment as Professor at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria stated in the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure are applied in relation to established profile of employment.

It is particularly meritorious that you have demonstrated

• Significant scientific discoveries and an internationally recognized research profile in RNA biology, genomics and bioinformatics. The applicant's contribution must have been decisive and can be documented through first and last authorships.
• That you can work across different scientific disciplines with a proven ability to collaborate nationally and internationally.
• Documented experience of supervising colleagues at multiple levels.

It is meritorious that you have demonstrated

• Experience to investigate both eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms.
• Proven ability to perform interdisciplinary work combining diverse scientific disciplines.

If you do not have training in teaching and learning in higher education comprising 10 weeks or equivalent competence in accordance with SUHF's recommendations for qualifying training in teaching and learning in higher education at the time of employment, you must undergo such training within the framework of your employment during the first two years of employment.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

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 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: Solna

Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology | Karolinska Institutet (ki.se)
Your career continues here

Application

Your application must contain the following documents in English: a cover letter as well as a resumé and a qualifications portfolio including a description of your research plan, both presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s template (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio). You may change or add to your application at any time up to and including the application deadline date. After the deadline, the process closes, and no amendment or addition can be made to your application.

The applications will be reviewed by external reviewers, most often both national and international. For that reason, all the submitted documents should be written in English.

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

We look forward to receiving your application!

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all.

1. Gerald McInerney, gerald.mcinerney@ki.se

1. Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
2. Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-58582665
3. Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, taher.darreh-shori@ki.se