Doctoral (PhD) student position in malaria immunology. - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

The research group
The Division of Infectious Diseases at the Department of Medicine Solna performs research and education in close collaboration with the Karolinska University Hospital. The research teams address a wide range of infectious diseases using clinical, epidemiological and experimental approaches.
The Färnert research group focuses on understanding mechanisms of acquisition and maintenance of immunity to malaria with the overall aim to contribute to malaria vaccine development. The group uses both experimental immunological and genetic methods together with epidemiological studies to understand the impact of antigen diversity, immune responses, and host factors on clinical outcome.
The group is based at the new research laboratories at BioClinicum on the Karolinska University Hospital site in Solna where we share space as part of an infection and immunology constellation.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The aim of this PhD project is to explore antibody and memory responses to potential malaria vaccine candidate antigens. The project will focus on parasite antigens with different level of genetic diversity. Moreover, as antibody responses to malaria parasites are described to be short-lived, the project will also explore the immune repertoire that contributes to the magnitude and longevity of the antigen specific responses. Studies are based on well characterized cohorts in malaria endemic areas as well as travelers diagnosed with malaria in Sweden. The project includes experimental work and involvement in different study cohorts as well as bioinformatic approaches for integration of complex datasets of several aspects of the immune response after acute malaria.

What do we offer?
A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. 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. As a doctoral student you are offered an individual research project, a well-educated supervisor, a vast range of elective courses and the opportunity to work in a leading research group. Karolinska Institutet collaborates with prominent universities from all around the world, which ensures opportunities for international exchanges. You will be employed on a doctoral studentship which means that you receive a contractual salary. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Eligibility requirements for doctoral education
In order to participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must meet the following general (A) and specific (B) eligibility requirements at latest by the application deadline.

It is your responsibility to certify eligibility by following the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

A) General eligibility requirement
You meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

1. have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree) or
2. have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the advanced/second-cycle/master level, or
3. have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.*

Follow the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

*If you claim equivalent knowledge, follow the instructions on the web page Assessing equivalent knowledge for general eligibility for doctoral education.

B) Specific eligibility requirement

You meet the specific eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

- Show proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.

Follow the instructions on the web page English language requirements for doctoral education.

Verification of your documents
Karolinska Institutet checks the authenticity of your documents. Karolinska Institutet reserves the right to revoke admission if supporting documents are discovered to be fraudulent. Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action.

Skills and personal qualities
The candidate must hold a master of science (MSc) in a related field. It is highly meriting if the applicant has previous knowledge and practical experience in different molecular and immunological techniques and in performing bioinformatic analysis in R. It is further advantageous if the candidate has expertise in proteomic, and cell-based immunoassays and previous experience in malaria research.
The candidate is expected to be organized and able to work independently. The project is pursued in an interdisciplinary environment with collaboration with several research groups, and good collaborative skills are a necessary requirement. Fluency in English is mandatory. As the position also entails contact with health care staff and potentially study participants, good communication skills in Swedish are highly meriting

Terms and conditions
The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

Application process
Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions.

Your application should contain the following documents:

- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae (Swedish or English)
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any (Swedish or English)
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above (Swedish or English)
- Documents certifying your general eligibility (see A above)
- Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see B above)

Selection
A selection will be made among eligible applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

Karolinska Institutet uses the following bases of assessment:

- Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research
- Analytical skill
- Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies in the subject.

 All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

Location
The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group  of professor Anna Färnert at the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna. The research laboratories are located in BioClinicum at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna.  https://ki.se/en/meds/group-anna-farnert

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