Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine

The Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) is a department at Karolinska Institutet and an interdisciplinary research institution within the broad field of environmental medicine. IMM conducts cutting edge research within the areas of environmental and occupational medicine, toxicology, physiology, epidemiology, and biostatistics with the aim to clarify how environmental and lifestyle factors affect our health and which role genes have. IMM also serves as a scientific advisor to public authorities within the area of environmental medicine and IMM scientists participate in national and international expert groups.

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
Our research focuses on the non-tobacco causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the 3rd leading cause of death world-wide. This includes hindered lung development, air pollution, exposure to nanoparticles, use of electronic cigarettes, biomass smoke exposure etc. Our research objectives are attained through in vivo, in vitro, and in silico models as well as human cohort-based studies.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The health threat from E-cigarette use arises particularly from its increasing popularity among adolescents and youth. In this translational PhD proposal we want to establish an estimated prevalence of E-cigs use in young people in Sweden, by using information from the population-based cohort study (BAMSE) where information on tobacco use (including E-cig) at 24-years of age is currently collected, compared to the use of ordinary cigarettes and Swedish snus. Further health effects will be established by comparing lung function data and inflammatory and host defense status both locally and systemically in E-cigs and cigs users compared with non-users. Finally, the proposed project also includes in vitro studies using physiologically relevant lung mucosa models, in which molecular assessment in depth, particle characterization, and chemical analysis of E-liquid aerosols will form a basis for pulmonary risk assessment of E-cigs use.

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 a highly motivated PhD candidate with a master’s degree in life sciences (preferably in the field of toxicology). The project will require a deep understanding of human physiology (particularly respiratory physiology), and expertise in cell culture techniques (human primary cells and cell lines etc.), molecular biological techniques (qRT-PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry etc), and in vitro exposure experiments. Since the project involves interaction with human volunteers, proficiency in Swedish language is important. As the work will be carried out in an international interdisciplinary environment, good oral and written communication skills in English as well as good collaboration skills are required.

An ideal candidate needs to be integrative to work in a dynamic, collaborative, multi-disciplinary, and multi-cultural working environment. The candidate may preferably have a medical background with hands on experience in culturing human primary bronchial epithelial cells in air-liquid-interface, performing in vitro chemical exposure experiments with compound/s present in electronic cigarette aerosol. Any previous records of research work as well as productive interactions with research team, as evident with peer-reviewed publications and/or masters level thesis is of advantage.

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.

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
Salary Monthly payment
Reference number 2-5274/2019
Contact
  • Professor Lena Palmberg, +46 8 524 822 10, Mobile: +46 70 4270950
Union representative
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
  • Anne Boström, SEKO, anne.bostrom@ki.se
Published 07.Nov.2019
Last application date 21.Nov.2019 11:59 PM CET

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