Karolinska Institutet, Department for Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology

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 PaCaRes (Pancreas Cancer Research) lab is part of the department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, division of Surgery. We focus on basic research within the translational program for pancreatic cancer with direct connection to the gastroenterology department of the Karolinska Hospital.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has by far the poorest outcome amongst solid cancers. This dire situation is attributable to late diagnosis, lack of diagnostic biomarkers and almost complete resistance to conventional chemo- and radiation therapy. Although many very potent drugs have been successful in preclinical tests using conventional 2-D cell culture, almost every drug failed dramatically in the following clinical trials on pancreatic cancer patients. Culture of cells in 3D is much closer to in vivo growth than 2D culture of cells for many reasons. In recent years it has been demonstrated that growth and therapeutic response behaviour of cancer cells is greatly dependent of their microenvironment. We grow pancreatic cancer cells (monospheroid) alone or together with pancreatic stellate cells (heterospheroid) in 3D in order to learn more about their mutual dependencies and vulnerabilities. In addition, we use these models for high throughput drug screening. The future student will use 3D culture methods on cell lines as well as patient material and he/she will analyse these cultures by RNAseq in order to identify points for therapeutic attack. This will be complemented by high throughput/content drug screening approaches. This PhD position is supported by a Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement (Nº 86119) called Precode.

Supervisors: Rainer Heuchel (main supervisor), Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), division of Surgery, Pancreas Cancer Research lab; Matthias Löhr (co-supervisor), Professor, Department of CLINTEC), division of Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Gastrocentrum, Karolinska University Hospital.

Time period: 4 years full-time studies, starting summer 2020.

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

To build a strong and creative research team, we are looking for a highly motivated, curiosity-driven, hard-working candidate with broad experience in molecular biology as well as non-adherent cell culture techniques. Knowledge in bioinformatics, high throughput approaches and FACsorting is a clear plus.

Terms and conditions

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

Since this PhD position is supported by an EU grant for the first 3 years, the following two prerequisites must be met:

Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays (holidays, compulsary national service) is not taken into account.

The researcher must not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date at the same appointing organization.

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.

Your career continues here. 

https://ki.se/clintec/om-clintec

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Flemingsberg
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-827/2020
Contact
  • Rainer Heuchel , rainer.heuchel@ki.se
Union representative
  • Christina Hebert, OFR, christina.hebert@ki.se
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Laila Nauman, SACO, laila.nauman@ki.se
Published 28.Feb.2020
Last application date 20.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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