Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience

The Department of Clinical Neuroscience (CNS) conducts research and education in the field of neuroscience from the molecular level to the society level. The clinical research and education is conducted in collaboration with Region Stockholm as well as other research groups from Karolinska Institutet and other universities.
Please visit our website for more information: ki.se/en/cns

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
The research on the eye and vision at the department is wide and carries from the glasses to the brain’s interpretation of the picture. The sensory impression of a clear and sharp picture does not only require healthy eyes but also a healthy brain. Our research on the retina and retinal disease is extensive including macular degeneration, ischemic retinopathies and vitreoretinal surgery. Ongoing projects range from basal research on retinal angiogenesis and degeneration to clinical pharmacologic studies and regenerative medicine using stem cell-derived cells.

The research team is led by Professor Anders Kvanta, in a joint translational project. Retina cells, differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESC), will be used to regenerate the macula in an attempt to treat geographic atrophy, the severe dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The experimental projects include molecular and cellular studies, as well as preclinical animal models, and aim to identify new molecules relevant to the onset of neovascularization and cell death for retinal conditions, in particular AMD. More information about our research group can be found at: ki.se/en/cns/stefan-seregardanders-kvantas-research-group

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The project to be developed aims at dissecting the molecular mechanisms that control retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell dysfunction in association with AMD. We have derived hESC into RPE and developed a large-eyed animal model of AMD, where transplantation of hESC-RPE has rescued the pathology. The role of the applicant is to expand on the knowledge of in vivo hESC-RPE transplantation as a potential clinical treatment for geographic atrophy. In addition, studies of RPE degeneration and molecular understanding of such mechanisms will be assessed. In vitro analysis of the factors that have high impact on RPE responses during AMD, will indicate which factors will be taken further to transgenic mouse models. Together, the molecular understand and cellular replacement strategies will present new opportunities for the treatment of advanced AMD by combined cellular and gene therapy.

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 candidate must be experienced in biomedical sciences, particularly biochemistry and molecular biology, including techniques such as immunoblotting, immunohisto- and cytochemistry, and quantitative PCR. Additionally, cell and tissue culture techniques, including but not limited to cellular transfection and protein expression analysis, together with complex isolation, is needed. Due to the nature of the project, experience in ophthalmologic and in particular retinal research is advantageous.

Excellent communication skills with documented history, ability to easily integrate into the laboratory environment and interact both socially and scientifically with other colleagues and collaborators is essential. The ideal candidate should be ambitious, strongly motivated and independent to develop the project and successfully troubleshoot emerging issues.

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
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-2790/2019
Contact
  • Anders Kvanta, anders.kvanta@ki.se
  • Anna Wendel, anna.wendel@ki.se
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
  • Arsalan Amir, SACO, 08 - 517 733 37
  • Venus Azhary, OFR, 0707-124 127
Published 08.May.2019
Last application date 30.May.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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