Doctoral (PhD) student position in Clinical Genetics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

A doctoral position is an available doctoral education project to which a PhD student is to be recruited. After the selection process the process for admission to doctoral education will commence. An admission decision will not be taken until an individual study plan has been approved by the departmental admission board.

For more information regarding doctoral (PhD) education, see: http://www.ki.se/doctoral. 

Research group

Our research group at Clinical Genetics is seeking a PhD student for a project on genetic and molecular characteristics of metabolic bone diseases. The group includes researchers who are specialists in clinical genetics, pediatrics and endocrinology and have a long-standing experience in research related to inherited skeletal and endocrine diseases. The laboratory work in the project will mostly be performed at the Center for Molecular Medicine, situated at the Karolinska University Hospital campus Solna. Project will be carried out in close collaboration with clinicians at Clinical Genetics, Endocrine and Pediatric departments at the Karolinska University Hospital. The research group has a well-functioning structure with several doctoral students and experienced researchers, who work on separate projects with similar methodology, including Sanger sequencing, massiv parallell sequencing, CGH-array, and MLPA. This ensures a stimulating, creative and productive working environment.

The doctoral education project and the duties of the student

We are now seeking a doctoral student for a project on metabolic bone diseases. The aim of the project is to identify new genetic causes for osteoporosis, abnormal mineral homeostasis and other metabolic bone diseases, and to characterize the underlying molecular mechanisms leading to these diseases. The study includes patients and families who suffer from these rare bone diseases. We use several DNA-based genetic methods, including whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing to identify the disease-causing gene defects. The functional consequences of these genetic changes will be further studied using various methods, the details of which will be determined based on the involved genetic pathology.

PhD studies correspond to four years' full-time work and include scientific work, courses, seminars and conferences. The PhD student will be responsible for drafting detailed study protocols for each study of the thesis, conduct laboratory work, data collection and analyses, including bioinformatic and statistical analyses (with the support of a bioinformatician), to conduct literature reviews and draft the scientific manuscripts as first author. The study will involve collaboration with other centers in Sweden and internationally.

Entry requirements for doctoral education at KI
To be eligible for doctoral education following requirements has to be met:

General entry requirements
A person meets the general entry requirements for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education (according to Higher Education Ordinance Chapt 7, section 39) if he/she:

1. has been awarded advanced/second-cycle/master qualification (i.e. master degree) or
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle/master level, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Specific entry requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school:
Proficiency in the English language can be documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or IELTS, see web-link below for more information.
Applicants who meet the general entry requirements (1 or 2 above) from a university in one of the Nordic countries fulfill the requirements in English.

For more information regarding general and specific entry requirements: http://ki.se/en/education/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

The position is open for a PhD student with a suitable degree in medicine or biology.

Skills and personal qualities
We are looking for an enthusiastic, ambitious, open-minded and socially skilled person who is able to collaborate with others, is flexible and willing to take an active role in carrying the project forward. Documented interest and previous experience in the research area is desired. Excellent knowledge of English is required as the main working language is English.

Assessment criteria
A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. 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

The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

Terms and conditions
The most common way of financial support for doctoral students at KI is doctoral grant the first year and a doctoral studentship (doctoral employment) for year 2, 3 and 4. During the time between recruitment and admission a short-term employment can be offered for up to 6 months.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in Swedish or English:

• A personal letter and curriculum vitae
• A copy of degree certificates and associated certificates
• A copy of degree projects and any previous publications

The application is to be submitted through the MyNetwork recruitment system.