Karolinska Institutet, the Department of Medicine, Huddinge

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and talented student to perform cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, with the overall aim to improve diagnostics and understanding of primary immunodeficiency diseases. At Karolinska Institutet, a doctoral education consists of supervised research tailored to the student, combined with courses and further educational development. The PhD will be undertaken in the research group of Yenan Bryceson.

Department of Medicine, Huddinge
The Department of Medicine at Huddinge comprises seven units, encompassing three research centres with 70 independent research groups. The project will be pursued at the Centre for Haematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM; http://ki.se/en/medh/herm). HERM is a leading translational research centre encompassing research groups involved in haematology, haemopoiesis, immunology and cell therapy.

Research group
The PhD study will be conducted in the group of Yenan Bryceson (https://ki.se/en/medh/yenan-bryceson-group).  Our interdisciplinary research strives to understand the complex regulation of cytotoxic lymphocyte function in health, infection, and disease in the setting of human genetic variability and environmental factors.

To gain clinical and scientific insights into human diseases, we collaborate closely with clinicians at Karolinska Institutet, across Scandinavia, and the rest of the world as well as with scientists with expertise in high-throughput sequencing, epigenetics, and advanced functional analyses of immune cells.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
In the human immune system, cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells kill infected or cancerous cells. Individuals carrying mutations in specific genes essential to the ability of such lymphocytes to kill target cells frequently develop life-threatening infections, inflammation and cancer. Our ability to effectively diagnose these individuals hinges on identifying these mutations, which will inform patient treatment.

The PhD project will be focused on identifying putative disease-causing mutations in patients with impaired lymphocyte development or function through combined genome, transcriptome, and epigenome sequencing. These findings will then allow the student to investigate key regulatory elements critical for lymphocyte differentiation and activity in humans.

To address this, the student will learn to employ and interpret data from a wide range of techniques including advanced multi-parameter flow cytometry, FACS sorting, whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq and ATAC-seq, advanced molecular biology techniques, general data analysis, and bioinformatics. The student will be encouraged to acquire programming skills to facilitate advanced bioinformatical analyses.

Working with a dynamic team of researchers and clinicians with strong track-records in immunology, immunogenetics and functional diagnostics, this PhD project offers an ambitious, interdisciplinary and translational opportunity for the student to develop a range of bioinformatic, genetic, molecular, and immunological competences with results ultimately promising to benefit patients and clinical practice.

Entry requirements for doctoral education at KI
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
Applicants should have a relevant educational background in biotechnology, bioinformatics, genetics, chemical engineering, immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or similar.

Candidates with a combined background covering programming, math, and biology are highly encouraged to apply. Interest or experience in the base computational/programing skills needed to learn how to perform bioinformatics will be looked upon favourably. Additionally, previous experience from working in a biomedical research lab or expertise in molecular or cell biology is advantageous.

To build a strong and creative research team, we are looking for high achievers from universities around the world. We will offer an intellectually stimulating environment for an intrinsically motivated student that will strive to become an independent scientist.

More specifically,

  • Applicant should have a high personal drive and motivation.
  • Applicant should demonstrate innovative thinking and be eager to solve problems.
  • Applicant should be able to integrate into the group and contribute productively in a collaborative team.
  • Applicant should be fluent in English (written and spoken), and value effective communication with supervisors and lab members.
  • Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

 Karolinska Insitutet is strongly committed to equal opportunities, diversity and gender equality. Applications from a diversity of personal and scientific backgrounds are encouraged.

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.

The selection process will include several steps. The most suitable applicants will proceed to the next step which includes personal interviews. All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is done.

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-3612/2019
Contact
  • Yenan Bryceson, Yenan.Bryceson@ki.se
Union representative
  • Belinda Pannagel, Belinda.Pannagel@ki.se
  • Carina Eklund, Carina.Eklund@ki.se
Published 21.Jun.2019
Last application date 01.Jul.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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