Karolinska Institutet, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health

The Department is organized in 10 divisions: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Surgery, Neuropediatrics, Pediatric Oncology, Neonatology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Neuropsychiatry (KIND), Reproductive and Perinatal Health. The divisions have separate scientific profiles and vary in size and have several research groups, dealing with both basic and clinical science.

We are recruiting a student for doctoral education.

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

Research Group
The research group led by Assistant Professor Kristiina Tammimies focuses on understanding genetic and biological factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder. We perform high-resolution genetic analyses in different NDD cohorts and following up the findings using bioinformatics approaches and cellular models. We are conducting translational research by combining data from neuropsychology, neuropathology, and environmental factors with the genetic data to understand the biological mechanisms leading to NDDs. The research group is located in BioClinicum, the new Karolinska University Hospital research building, and shares a lab floor with other research groups from the women/children/genetics theme.

The doctoral education project and the duties of the student
The doctoral project aims to investigate the effects of autism genes, environmental hazards and their interactions during neuronal development using isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells and identify the underlying perturbed molecular pathways. The general duties of the student will be to a) plan, execute and evaluate experiments and results, b) actively participate in courses, seminars and journal clubs, and c) literature review, writing papers to be published in peer-reviewed journals. More specifically, the student is expected to do cell culture work, use variety of molecular biology tools to investigate the properties of the cells, perform bioinformatics and statistical analysis within the aims of the research project.

Entry requirements for doctoral education at KI
To be eligible for doctoral education, the following requirements have to be met:

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
  1. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

For more information regarding the general entry requirements, please see:
https://ki.se/en/phd/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

Specific entry requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school. Applicants who meet the general entry requirements (1 or 2 above) from a university in one of the Nordic countries fulfill the English language requirement.

For information on how other applicants can certify their English proficiency (such as through IELTS or TOEFL, previous upper secondary or university level studies), please see:
https://ki.se/en/phd/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

Skills and personal qualities
We are looking for a highly motivated and engaged candidate with a degree in Molecular biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Genetics, Medicine, Computational Biology or similar fields. Earlier experience in cell culture and working with RNA is required. Earlier knowledge in working with transcriptomics or other bionformatic projects is an advantage. The candidate should be curious, thorough, honest and enthusiastic about science and the research topic. She/he should able to work both independently and as part of a team. Good written and verbal communication skills in English are required. The applicant will be evaluated based on education and previous experience as well as personal suitability.

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
All doctoral students at KI receive financial support during their doctoral education and employment on a doctoral studentship is the most common sort of support.

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

  • A personal letter and a curriculum vitae
  • Academic degree diplomas, transcripts of records in original language and, if applicable, authorised translations
  • Copies of degree projects and any previous publications
  • Proof of English proficiency as stated in the specific requirement above

All documents certifying the entry requirements must be scans of originals (scans of copies or certified copies will not be accepted). The scanned documents must be in color and both the front and the back of the documents must be scanned. Please note that there are specific documentation requirements for a number countries, please read the instructions at:

https://ki.se/en/phd/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

The application and supporting documents are to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary According to the KI salary ladder for PhD students
Reference number 2-3793/2018
Contact
  • Kristiina Tammimies , Kristiina.tammimies@ki.se
Union representative
  • Lars Ährlund-Richter, SACO, 08-5177 34 50, lars.ahrlund@ki.se
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65, carina.eklund@ki.se
Published 29.Jun.2018
Last application date 31.Aug.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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