Doctoral (PhD) student position in risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

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 doctoral student will be working in the research group led by Angel Cedazo-Minguez and Silvia Maioli, belonging to the Division of Neurogeriatrics at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS). NVS conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. NVS educates almost a third of KI students at basic and advanced levels.

Cedazo-Minguez/Maioli group currently consists of 7 people, doctoral students, postdocs, lab manager, assistant professors with different backgrounds, educationally as well as culturally. Our group recently moved moved into the new research building BioClinicum in Solna. Bioclinicum is connected to the hospital and the Karolinska Institute's new research house Biomedicum as well as the new Comparative Medicine-Biomedicum animal facility. The focus of the research group is on understanding mechanisms behind risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The aim of the doctoral education project is to bring new mechanistic knowledge on the impact of risk factors on neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s Disease. The doctoral student will study the largely unexplored field of the effects of polypharmacy on cognitive impairment in older adults and in groups at risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. The PhD student will investigate the effects of multi-medication treatments in mouse models of aging and Alzheimer’s Disease by performing a wide battery of behavioural studies and molecular studies in brain and blood. This study plan includes a part on biomarker discovery in blood and cerebrospinal fluid from Alzheimer’s Disease patients. The project plan includes a good variety of methods: a wide spectra of mouse behavioral tests and molecular techniques, including omics technologies [CC1] and advanced statistics from human data. The translational nature of the project offers the student an advanced knowledge in neurobiology, a state of art knowledge in Alzheimer’s Disease, from mechanisms to clinical features and treatment possibilities and finally on medication strategies in older adults.

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
We are seeking a highly talented and enthusiastic doctoral candidate. The successful candidate should be self-motivated and able to keep herself/himself informed on developments of the relevant research field, and also, have excellent communication skills in written and oral English, organizational skills, and the ability to work productively and dynamically in a team.

An educational background in pharmacy and/or pharmacology is desirable. It is meritorious if the applicant has some experience in a biomedical lab and knowledge in the field of neurodegeneration, cognitive functions and Alzheimer’s Disease. Good expertise in molecular biology and techniques such as western blot, ELISA and PCR is required. Additionally, experience in neurobehavioral studies in mice is highly preferable. Having obtained a FELASA B certificate would be also considered an advantage.

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

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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.

The department of NVS

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