Karolinska Institutet, the Department of Medicine, Huddinge

We are recruiting a doctoral (PhD) student. 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.

Dep. of Medicine, Huddinge
The Department of Medicine, Huddinge conducted preclinical and clinical research in a variety of areas and undergraduate and graduate education. The department is internationally oriented and consists of seven units with about 40 teams.

Description of the research group
The Woll group’s (http://ki.se/en/medh/petter-woll-group) research focus is on cellular and molecular pathways governing the earliest fate decisions in normal hematopoiesis (Luc et al, Nat Immuol, 2012; Böiers et al, Cell Stem Cell, 2013; Sanjuan-Pla et al, Nature, 2013; Drissen et al., Nat Immunol, 2016) and how these are dysregulated in hematologic malignancies (Tehranchi et al, New Engl J Med, 2010; Mead et al, Cell Rep, 2013; Woll et al, Cancer Cell, 2014). This is studied in mouse models, as well as in relevant patients. Key technologies applied towards these research directions include advanced flow cytometry, mouse genetics, high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing including single cell analysis, and various in vitro and in vivo stem cell assays. The project will be pursued at both HERM (http://ki.se/en/medh/herm) and Biomedicum (https://staff.ki.se/biomedicum).

The doctoral education project and the duties of the student
Inherited mutations in the gene WRAP53b cause dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a disease characterised by premature aging, bone marrow failure and a high susceptibility for cancer, in particular leukemia, in children.

The project will be focused on dissecting the cellular and molecular mechanisms of WRAP53b perturbations underlying accelerated generation of leukemic stem cells in children.

To address this, the student will learn to employ a combination of flow cytometry (to isolate distinct hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells), advanced cell and molecular biology techniques, whole-genome sequencing approaches, general data analysis and bioinformatics related to next generation sequencing.

The applicant is expected to have prior experience with bioinformatic and statistical analysis, as well as flow cytometry of primary hematopoietic cells. The student is expected to develop into an independent scientist whom can play a leading role in the elaboration of scientific hypothesis, experimental design, data analysis and presentation/publication of the research.

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

A) 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.

 Follow the instructions on the web page https://ki.se/en/phd/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoraleducation

*If you claim equivalent knowledge, follow the instructions on the web page https://ki.se/en/phd/assessing-equivalent-knowledge-for-general-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

B) Specific entry requirements
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 is an entry requirement for doctoral education at KI. Applicant who meet the general entry requirements in English.

Follow the link below for information on how other applicants can certify their English proficiency (such as through IELTS or TOEFL, previous upper secondary or university level studies).

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

Skills and personal qualities
Applicants must have a relevant educational background in medicine, biotechnology, molecular biology or cell biology.

Candidates with a combined background covering medicine, biology, math and programming are highly encouraged to apply. Having the base computational/programming skills needed to learn how to perform bioinformatics will be looked upon favorably. Similarly, previous experience with flow cytometry for analysis of primary hematopoietic cells will be looked upon favorably.

Applicants should have a high personal drive and motivation, be innovative and eager to solve problems, as well as contribute actively to other projects in the research team. Applicant should be fluent in English (written and spoken). Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

Terms and conditions
The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship (Sw: doktorandanställning) during the 4 years doctoral education.

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

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

  • A personal letter including motivation for applying
  • A curriculum vitae
  • Documents certifying the entry requirements*: Academic degree diplomas, transcript records, and if applicable, authorized translations
  • Copies of degree projects and any previous publications
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described 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: http://ki.se/en/phd/entry-requirements-eligibility-for- doctoral-education

If an applicant claims equivalent konwledge (point 3 under general entry requirements above) for the eligibility assessment, a form has to be filled in and submitted. Please find more information here: https://ki.se/en/phd/assessing-equivalent-knowledge-for-general-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

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.

The selection process will include several steps. The most suitable applicants will proceed to the next step which includes personal interviews. All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is done.

Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions.

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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 Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-6277/2019
Contact
  • Assistant Professor Petter S. Woll, petter.woll@ki
Union representative
  • Belinda Pannagel, SACO, Belinda.pannagel@ki.se
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, Carina.eklund@ki.se
Published 11.Dec.2019
Last application date 31.Dec.2019 11:59 PM CET

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