Karolinska Institutet,

The Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (MMK) carries out both preclinical and clinical research within numerous fields. Linked to the department are approximately 450 researchers, postgraduate students, teachers and technical & administrative staff and we currently have about 150 PhD students. The department is conducting undergraduate courses for medical students, physiotherapist students, biomedicine students and biomedical laboratory students.

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 position is in the Rare Diseases research group. We study genetic disorders on a molecular level in order to understand disease mechanisms and apply new knowledge to genetic diagnostics. We work in a modern laboratory at the Bioclinicum building situated within the grounds of the Karolinska University Hospital, Solna. Several group members also work in the Department of Clinical Genetics at the hospital, the largest clinical genetic department in Sweden with 90 employees working with genetic diagnosis and counseling. We also work closely with the Science for Life Laboratory in Solna, and thus have access to massively parallel DNA sequencing (MPS) with all available technologies. We are currently developing in vitro modeling assays in cells to evaluate genetic mutations detected in patients. Read more:https://ki.se/en/mmk/rare-diseases

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
We are looking for a motivated person with a background in molecular and developmental biology. The successful applicant will be involved in the analysis massive parallel DNA and RNA sequencing data from patients and families with suspected rare genetic diseases as well as molecular genetic follow up of results. The selected applicant will help to stablish robust differentiation techniques from hiPSC and neural stem cells to generate relevant cell types to model neurodevelopmental disorders. Knowledge in cellular models with culturing and analyzing primary cells, human pluripotent cells (hiPSCs and hESCs) and human neural stem cells. This project provides the opportunity to participate in a translational project that will have direct clinical impact.

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
A degree within the area of biomedical research or corresponding area is required.
We are seeking a new group member with interests in the following key areas:
1) Analysis of OMICs data (RNA and/or DNA)
2) Molecular Biology/Cell Biology: Knowledge in basic molecular techniques specifically molecular gene cloning, in vitro mRNA synthesis and gene expression assays including PCR, RT-PCR, and qRT-PCR, as well as Western Blot protein analysis.
3) Differentiation of iPSCs and neural stem cells into various neural subtypes (2D and 3D culture).
4)Knowledge in immunoflourescent and confocal microscopy, image processing and analysis, including statistical analysis.
The applicant will be evaluated based on education and previous experience, relevance for the project, motivation, problem solving skills, and cooperative ability. Personal suitability is also an important criterion.

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
Salary månadslön
Reference number 2-5110/2019
Contact
  • Anna Lindstrand, Forskargruppsledare, anna.lindstrand@ki.se
Union representative
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
  • Virpi Töhönen, SACO, virpi.tohonen@ki.se
  • Elisabeth Noren-Krog, OFR, elisabeth.noren-krog@ki.se
Published 10.Oct.2019
Last application date 27.Oct.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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