Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Molecular Neurobiology

A doctoral position is an available doctoral education project to which a PhD student is to be recruited. After the selection process the process for admission to doctoral education will commence. An admission decision will not be taken until an individual study plan has been approved by the departmental admission board.

For more information regarding doctoral (PhD) education, see: http://www.ki.se/doctoral.

Doctoral position available for a highly motivated and creative student to a project that combines advanced molecular biology with computational tools and engineering. We offer a highly ambitious and creative environment with exceptional postdocs and students and state of the art technology in the field of single-cell genomics and transcriptomics.

Division/Research group
The research group of Professor Sten Linnarsson is focused on single-cell biology, in particular applying single-cell expression analysis to characterize the cell types and lineages of the mouse nervous system.

The long-term goal of our research is to map the stable cellular states (‘cell types’) that human organs are made of, and to understand the regulatory networks that induce and maintain them. To achieve these goals, we develop novel technologies for extremely sensitive and accurate detection of DNA and RNA in single cells and other scarce samples. We use advanced molecular biology, large-scale DNA sequencing, microfluidics and microscopy.

The doctoral education project and the duties of the student
The main project is development of multiplexing single-molecule FISH to apply on brain tissue sections in order to discover and charachterize cell types in the brain.

A successful applicant needs to have mechanical engineering skills, computer skills including image analysis and instrument control, experience in advanced microscopy including automation as well as good knowledge in systems biology and gene regulation.

In addition, the ideal candidate is a positive and creative person with good communication skills that thrives in a challenging and innovative environment. Since there is a lot of interaction within the group high emphasis is given on being able to collaborate with the current group members.

Entry requirements for doctoral education at KI
General entry requirements
A person meets the general entry requirements for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education (according to Higher Education Ordinance Chapt 7, section 39) if he/she:

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

Specific entry requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school:
Proficiency in the English language can be documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or IELTS, see web-link below for more information.
Applicants who meet the general entry requirements (1 or 2 above) from a university in one of the Nordic countries fulfill the requirements in English.

For more information regarding general and specific entry requirements: http://ki.se/en/education/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

Assessment criteria
A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. 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

The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

Terms and conditions
The most common way of financial support for doctoral students at KI is doctoral grant the first year and a doctoral studentship (doctoral employment) for year 2, 3 and 4. During the time between recruitment and admission a short-term employment can be offered for up to 6 months.

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

  • A personal letter and curriculum vitae
  • A copy of degree certificates and associated certificates
  • A copy of degree projects and any previous publications

The application is to be submitted through the MyNetwork recruitment system 

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 1st April
Reference number 2-448/2016
Contact
  • Sten Linnarsson, +46 (0)8-524 800 00
Union representative
  • Anne Edgren, OFR/S, P, O, +46 (0)8-616 16 29
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, +46 (0)70-173 85 75
  • Gunnar Stenberg, Seko, +46 (0)8-524 880 75
Published 16.Feb.2016
Last application date 08.Mar.2016 11:59 PM CET

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