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 Oral Biology and Medicine group is led by Associate Professor Rachael Sugars at the Department of Dental Medicine. The group is interested in developing pathological diagnostics and understanding disease processes in the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Specifically, we are concerned with the complications that result following hematopoietic cell transplantation in the form of Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD). Studies are working to understand GVHD pathogenesis, clinical and diagnostic criteria and the search for predictive biomarkers.

The Department of Dental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet provides undergraduate education for dental - , dental hygienist - and postgraduate students, as well as master and doctoral studies. The group belongs the Oral Diagnostics and Surgery Unit, which performs research and provides undergraduate training in oral biomedicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral radiology, and orofacial medicine.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The PhD student will work on studies focused on the diagnostics of oral lesions, specifically within GVHD. The student will investigate the pathology of mucosal and salivary GVHD, and evaluate putative biomarkers. In addition the student will explore the use of artificial intelligence predictive-models to identify cellular and architectural features in oral lesions for diagnostic purposes. The studies will include work on patient material and methods will include cellular and molecular immunological techniques, and computational biology (machine learning).

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 motivated, enthusiastic and ambitious student with strong interest in oral biology and medicine.

The following qualifications and qualities will be especially valued:

- Applicants must have experience with cellular and molecular immunological methods.

- Applicants must be able to work within a team environment but retain independence to explore their own hypotheses and results, and drive their own projects.  

- Prior experience within the dental-field, and of the computational biology methods is considered an advantage for this project.  

- Authorship on research articles/abstracts is highly meriting, as is previous training in research laboratories.

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 (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.

About us

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

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full-time/Part-time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Reference number 2-750/2020
Contact
  • Rachael Sugars, Lecturer, Associate Professor, 08-52488123
Union representative
  • Nikolaos Christidis, SACO, 070-037 49 67
  • Johanna Karro, OFR, 08-524 888 01
Published 11.Feb.2020
Last application date 06.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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