The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in several areas of medical science including bioorganic chemistry, molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, cellular virology, and nutrition. It offers an excellent international research and working environment, including around 250 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel. The Department resides in the new biomedical research building Neo, aimed at being a creative and open environment that enables meetings, synergies, and exploration of areas of mutual interest across disciplines.

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

Our group is devoted to exploring mechanisms underlying metabolic disorder progression using top tier technologies. We are looking for a highly motivated talent to join our efforts to understand the epigenomic basis of monocyte dysfunctions in human atherosclerosis. The position will be placed at Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet south campus. The group conducts pre-clinical research for better understanding how the epigenome controls metabolic and inflammatory pathways in the context of obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis (Fan, et al Nat Med 2016; Drareni, et al Cell Reports 2018; Liang, et al Nat Com 2019). We combine various state-of-the-art next generation sequencing approaches to study disease mechanisms in different levels, from the epigenomic alterations and transcription factor-mediated regulatory networks in the metabolic tissues and cells to the pre-clinical disease models and patient cohorts to answer clinicallyimportant questions, with ultimate goals to benefit the patients.

For the details of the project and the group, please check the webpage: https://ki.se/en/bionut/liver-and-monocyte-remodelling-in-non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease-and-cardiovascular

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The project is to investigate the immune-modulatory mechanisms during atherosclerosis development. The successful candidate will work closely with clinical doctors to 1) apply the established techniques (i.e. ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, 4C-seq, proteomics, etc); and 2) develop new advanced tools (HiC, micro-C, etc) to study the chromatin remodelling events in monocytes. He/she is also expected to perform combinative analysis to extract the clinical-relevant information from the multi-OMICs data.

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

The successful candidate should:

1) Have a Master degree in molecular biology, biomedicine, medicine, biochemistry, genetics or related fields.
2) Have solid knowledge of molecular biology and extensive wet lab experience in molecular biology techniques.
3) Have research experience in human or mouse monocytes or macrophages.
4) Have experience of working with animals to study immunology or metabolic disorders.
5) Already have or keen to learn bioinformatics skills to analyze genome-wide sequencing data, in addition to above wet lab skills.

Above that, we also expect the successful candidate to have excellent communication and organizational skills, and work both independently and as a team player.

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. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish:

- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae 
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any 
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above 
- 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.

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

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
Reference number STÖD 2-4643/2020
Contact
  • Rongrong Fan, +46-70-062 35 85
  • Eckardt Treuter, +46-8-524 810 60
  • Thomas Tinglöv, +46-8-524 835 49
Union representative
  • Anders Lindholm, OFR, +46-8-524 810 12
  • Henry Wölling, SECO, +46-8-524 840 80
  • Chandrashekar Bangalore Revanna, SACO, +46-73-083 98 85
Published 03.Nov.2020
Last application date 24.Nov.2020 11:59 PM CET

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