Postdoc Fellow - CRISPR Off-Targets

Would you like to apply your molecular & cell biology skills and scientific knowledge to a project with a therapeutic value? This could be it!



About the Postdoc Program:

We're currently looking for talented scientists to join our innovative academic-style Postdoc. From our centre in Gothenburg, Sweden, you'll be in a global pharmaceutical environment, contributing to live projects right from the start. You'll take part in a comprehensive training programme, including a focus on drug discovery and development, given access to our existing Postdoctoral research, and encouraged to pursue your own independent research in cutting edge laboratories. It's a newly expanding programme spanning a range of therapeutic areas across a wide range of disciplines.



What's more, you'll have the support of a leading academic advisor, who'll provide you with the guidance and knowledge you need to develop your career. This is an exciting area that hasn't been explored to its full potential, making this an opportunity to make a real difference to the future of medical science.



About the Opportunity:

The postdoc will be a part of the Precise Genome Editing group - where we develop gene engineering tools & technologies to facilitate target validation & speedy disease modeling, and to evaluate the potential applications & safety of therapeutic genome editing. We are part of the Translational Genomics department where we develop advanced cellular and animal models and we also provide expert support for Next Generation Sequencing and Transcriptome analyses. We are an international group working on cutting edge technologies with world leading external collaborators.



In this role, you will:

* Design and build genome editing-based strategies for development of potential therapeutic tools and for generation of in vivo (mouse)/cellular disease models
* Evaluate the safety and specificity of the genome editing-based strategies
* Perform assays for confirmation of genetic manipulation and functional validation of engineered cells and animals
* Develop delivery tools to improve the efficiency of genome editing



Essential Education and Experience:

* PhD in molecular biology/bioscience or a relevant field
* Expertise in molecular biology methods including expression vector design, cloning, DNA-RNA-protein detection
* Expertise in cell biology and cellular assays, such as genetic manipulation of cell lines, mouse embryonic stem cells, primary and iPSC cells and evaluating the genetic & functional outcome
* Experience in iPSC culturing & differentiation



Desirable Qualifications:

* Experience in next generation sequencing technologies, single cell sequencing techniques & sequencing data analysis
* Expertise in flow cytometry and cell sorting, imaging, immunohistochemistry/ immunocytochemistry
* Experience with genome editing tools including Cas9/CRISPR, ZFNs and TALENs
* Experience in working with laboratory animals with a valid European license. Especially with development of disease models (e.g. mouse embryo genetic manipulations).



Skills and Capabilities required:

* Strong communication and collaboration skills
* Enthusiasm & curiosity towards scientific questions and learning new skills
* Goal-oriented & data-driven mindset
* Thoroughness and transparency communicating progress and results
* Scientific thinking and ability to direct the project progress



This is a 3-year programme. 2 years will be a Fixed Term Contract, with a 1-year extension which will be merit based. The role will be based in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a competitive salary on offer



Advert opening date - March 24, 2020

Advert closing date - May 20, 2020



About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energised and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.