Research Assistant in Translational Melanoma Research

Research Assistant in Translational Melanoma Research

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Malignant Melanoma Research Group at Karolinska Institutet led by Hildur Helgadottir investigates the biology, genetics and different aspects related to treatment of malignant melanoma. You will join a translational research environment combining clinical samples, cell and molecular biology, extracellular vesicle research and biomarker discovery. Working closely with Postdoctoral Researcher Albano Cáceres Verschae, you will gain experience in laboratory workflows supporting precision oncology and biomarker discovery. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to clinically relevant research within an interdisciplinary and collaborative team at the Department of Oncology-Pathology.

Your mission

We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant to support translational research in malignant melanoma, with a particular focus on extracellular vesicles and circulating biomarkers associated with treatment efficacy.

You will contribute to laboratory studies using melanoma cell models and clinical plasma samples. The work will include extracellular vesicle isolation by ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography, nanoparticle tracking analysis, mammalian cell culture and downstream molecular characterisation.

You will perform protein and nucleic acid analyses, including western blotting, RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. Additional methods may include ELISA and lentiviral vector production and validation. You will also contribute to data analysis using GraphPad Prism, Qlucore Omics Explorer and R.

You will support the planning and execution of multi-step experiments, maintain accurate laboratory documentation and contribute to laboratory workflow management. The role may also include coordination of research activities, timelines, resources and documentation across collaborative projects.

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate with:

• A degree in molecular biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, cell biology or a related discipline
• Practical experience in laboratory-based biomedical research

  Required qualifications and experience

  • A degree in molecular biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, cell biology or a related discipline
  • Practical experience in mammalian cell culture
  • Experience with basic molecular and protein biology techniques, including:
    • Western blotting
    • Immunoprecipitation
    • Experience in handling biological samples
    • Ability to work carefully, independently and collaboratively
    • Good communication skills in English
    • Ability to maintain accurate laboratory documentation

      Desirable qualifications and experience

      Clinical sample handling

      • Experience working with human tissue or blood-derived samples
      • Experience with PBMC isolation

        Molecular biology techniques

        • Extracellular vesicle, EV, isolation and characterisation
        • Centrifugation-based EV isolation
        • Microscopy and image analysis
        • ELISA, RT-PCR or related molecular assays

          Bioinformatics and data analysis

          • Experience with GraphPad Prism, R or other data-analysis tools

            Particularly advantageous experience

            • Size-exclusion chromatography, SEC, based EV isolation
            • Nanoparticle tracking analysis, NTA, profiling
            • Lentiviral vector production and validation
            • Coordination of experiments or support of laboratory workflows

              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. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

              Location: Department of Oncology-Pathology, Bioclinicum, Solna

              Application

              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. In this recruitment, you will apply with your CV without a personal letter. Instead, you will answer some questions about why you are applying for the job in the application form. Apply at the latest 15th October.

              This is a temporary employment for 6 months.