Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

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
An exciting opportunity to be part of the Karolinska Institutet biomedical research at the Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Infectious Diseases.

The research group, headed by Senior Researcher Dr Asghar Muhammad, is part of the Division of Infectious Diseases, where experimental and epidemiological research is conducted in close collaboration with the clinical Department of Infectious Diseases at the Karolinska University Hospital.

The group focuses on the impact of infectious diseases on biological ageing. Within this work the group investigates the molecular mechanisms by which infectious diseases affects immunosenescence and biological ageing. The research is truly translational including epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies, and is performed in international and national collaborations. The laboratory is located at the new research laboratories at BioClinicum on the Karolinska University Hospital site in Solna.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The PhD studies correspond to 4 years of full-time studies. The project aims to establish the effect of infections on ageing and its underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. In particular, the project will investigate the effect of single, multiple and chronic infections on biological ageing by performing in-depth analyses of ageing markers in circulating cells as well as in tissues. The studies will explore several hallmarks of ageing, such as telomere length, cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic alterations. The project will involve integrative approaches by combing epidemiological, experimental and cellular studies both in human and animal models.

The PhD student will take part in animal experiments and capitalize already established molecular methods in the lab and further expand the toolbox to study the effect of infections on ageing. The PhD student will have an important role in all the parts of the included projects and the responsibilities will include literature review, statistical analysis, result interpretation, scientific article writing and data presentation.

The PhD project has been granted by KID-funding block grant for partial financing of doctoral education at KI. The supervisors team have a broad expertise in infection biology, immunology, epidemiology, and aging biology

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 looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate with a clear interest in infection and ageing biology.

The applicant should have a master of science (MSc) in a relevant field and it is considered an advantage if the applicant also has documented knowledge of relevance to the area of research such as: knowledge and practical experience in different immunological and aging biology techniques, data analysis and visualization.

The candidate is expected to be organized and able to work independently. Since the Doctoral student will be working in interdisciplinary and international environment, good communication and writing skills in English are mandatory.

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

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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.

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.

Location
The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group of Dr Asghar Muhammad at the Division of Infectious Diseases. The group is based at the new research laboratories at BioClinicum on the Karolinska University Hospital site in Solna.

 https://ki.se/en/meds/research-group-asghar-muhammad

 

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

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
Reference number STÖD 2-4136/2020
Contact
  • Asghar Muhammad, Researcher, +46 8 524 825 04
Union representative
  • Louisa Cheung, SACO, Louisa.Cheung@ki.se
  • Afsar Rahbar OFR, Afsar.Rahbar@ki.se
Published 30.Sep.2020
Last application date 21.Oct.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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