Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för Fysiologi och farmakologi

At the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology we teach and conduct internationally acclaimed, high-quality research in Physiology, Pharmacology, Anesthesiology and Intensive care. We have around 400 employees, 30 research groups, and 90 doctoral students. Our research fields include cellular signaling, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, neuropsychopharmacology, neuroinflammation, pharmacogenetics, regenerative medicine, Renal System, anesthesiology and intensive care, muscle physiology and pain. Our collaboration with the clinics at Karolinska University Hospital provides unique opportunities for translational research within our subjects. More information about research at http://ki.se/fyfa_english

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

Applications are invited for doctoral (PhD) studies in the unit for receptor biology and signaling led by Dr. Gunnar Schulte (https://ki.se/en/fyfa/schulte-lab). Our overall research mission is to advance our understanding of the pharmacology of Class Frizzled receptors with special emphasis on ligand-receptor interaction, receptor complex stoichiometry and dynamics and mechanisms of signal initiation. We are investigating Frizzled pharmacology and molecular mechanisms of WNT/Frizzled signal transduction employing biochemical, cell biological and computational approaches, cellular imaging technologies and molecular biology to promote the development of FZD-targeting drugs. The project is integrated in a wide network of national and international collaborations.

Recent reviews from the group:

Molecular Pharmacology of Class F Receptor Activation. Kozielewicz P, Turku A, Schulte G. Mol Pharmacol. 2019 Oct 7. pii: mol.119.117986. doi: 10.1124/mol.119.117986. PMID: 31591260

 Structural insight into Class F receptors - What have we learnt regarding agonist-induced activation? Schulte G, Kozielewicz P. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 Mar 29. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.13235. PMID: 30925000

 Frizzleds as GPCRs - More Conventional Than We Thought! Schulte G, Wright SC. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2018 Sep;39(9):828-842. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.07.001. PMID: 30049420

 International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXX. The class Frizzled receptors. Schulte G. Pharmacol Rev. 2010 Dec;62(4):632-67. doi: 10.1124/pr.110.002931. PMID: 21079039

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral thesis is aimed to understand WNT (ligand) and Frizzled (receptor) interaction and subsequent receptor activation mechanisms addressing underlying mechanisms of ligand-receptor selectivity, signal initiation and specification. Experimental cell systems will be analysed using protein biochemical, molecular biological methodology, live cell imaging and biophysical methods.

The student is expected to fulfil the course requirements of the PhD program, participate in regular group meetings, seminars, present at national/international meetings and take part in routine work within the research team. Finally, the PhD student will take part in the pharmacology teaching at the department.

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 applicant must be ambitious and demonstrate a strong interest in GPCR pharmacology and protein biochemistry. An appropriate background to develop the proposed research area would be biochemistry, GPCR pharmacology, protein chemistry and purification, computational biology and molecular biology. Positive attitude, high motivation and an intrinsic drive to push the boundaries of our current knowledge are a prerequisite for recruitment.

Experience with molecular biology (cloning), GPCR pharmacology/biochemistry (ligand binding, receptor reconstitution, purification), protein biochemistry (immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, protein purification), plate reader assays (luminescence, BRET) and/or microscopy (light and confocal microscopy, live cell imaging) are advantageous. A background in (receptor) pharmacology is a plus.

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. The successful candidate must have good communication skills, be capable of working in a structured and efficient way and have a willingness to work collaboratively.

Terms and conditions
The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

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 skills - 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 All doctoral students at KI receive financial support during their doctoral education and employment on a doctoral studentship is the most common sort of support.

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
Reference number 2-5414/2019
Contact
  • Gunnar Schulte, gunnar.schulte@ki.se
Union representative
  • Göran Engberg, SACO, 08-524 867 17
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
Published 04.Nov.2019
Last application date 15.Jan.2020 11:59 PM CET

Return to job vacancies