Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Lethi

A doctoral student is admitted to third-cycle/doctoral education. A doctoral education consists of supervised research, combined with courses and other educational activities. An individual study plan is established for each doctoral student. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

Research group
Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) conducts research aimed to unravel mechanisms underlying the development of cancer and immune-mediated diseases as well as to develop new strategies to fight infections and cancers globally. The science at MTC includes both basic and clinically anchored research and many projects build on long-standing national and international collaborations. Key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, translational, national and international collaborations.

MTC offers an opportunity for PhD studies in the field of translational cancer research at the research group of Kaisa Lehti. The group thrives to understand the microenvironment dependent phenotypic cell plasticity and interchangeable modes of cell invasion and growth in cancer metastasis and drug resistance. We offer an international research environment with state-of-the-art facilities. The hired applicant will be working in the supervision of Kaisa Lehti (basic research) and co-supervision of Joseph Carlson (clinical translation).

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The project goal is to identify key mechanisms of tumor microenvironment communication that regulate invasion, metastasis, and drug responses in ovarian cancer and high-grade uterine sarcomas. The project will investigate how the cancer-specific genetic alterations and transcriptional programs relate to the microenvironment-dependent dynamics of e.g. signaling receptors, adhesion molecules, transmembrane proteinases, and cytoskeleton. This will be done by integrating genetic, proteomic & clinical ovarian cancer and sarcoma data with hypothesis-driven functional and molecular mechanistic research.

State-of-the-art molecular biology, imaging, bioinformatics and functional genetic approaches including the most relevant cellular, ex vivo and in vivo models, as well as clinical human tissue material will be utilized for this research. By identifying key molecules and mechanisms in tumor dynamics, metastasis, and drug responses, the project will contribute to the development of new prognostic indicators and strategies for better treatments.

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

We are looking for an ambitious student with strong enthusiasm towards science to complement our interdisciplinary team. A successful candidate holds a recent MSc degree in translational medicine, (bio)medicine or similar topic, and strong background in molecular cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and/or cancer biology.

Basic or advanced understanding of bioinformatics/computational biology is considered as an asset. Practical experience in cell culture, protein analytic techniques, basic or advanced molecular biology techniques, and analysis of cancer cell phenotypes using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry methods are already routine for a highly qualified applicant. As the project focus on patient-derived material, cancer drug resistance and tumor propagation, experience in 3D and ex vivo cell culture models, as well as computational analysis of bio-imaging in Java and/or other programming languages as well as biostatistics analysis of clinical patient data, are considered as substantial merits. Knowhow in cell signaling, membrane trafficking, cytoskeleton and metabolic pathways is a plus. Practical experience from international top-level cancer research laboratory is a merit.

The candidate must have good communication skills, be able to work as part of a team, and is expected to have full professional proficiency in English.

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 (English)
  • Degree projects and previous publications, if any (English)
  • Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above (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.

KI 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.

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-4783/2019
Contact
  • Kaisa Lehti, Senior researcher, kaisa.lehti@ki.se
Union representative
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
Published 23.Sep.2019
Last application date 14.Oct.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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