Doctoral (PhD) student position in inflammation and autoimmunity - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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
The research group is a part of the Department of Medicine Solna at the Karolinska Institutet, and our research aims to contribute to improved surveillance and management for people living with systemic lupus erythematosus. We focus on identification of biomarkers that reflect activity and portend flare, response or non-response to therapy, particularly B cell targeted biologics, and long-term outcome. We stress on patient-reported health status and patient participation in medical care. The Department of Medicine Solna is one of the largest departments at the Karolinska Institutet. The core activities of the Department of Medicine Solna are clinical and undergraduate education for medical as well as biomedical students, post-graduate education including at present 200 registered PhD students, and research in different areas of biomedicine.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The overall purpose of the doctoral project is to optimise the use of current therapies in patients with SLE, with focus on belimumab, in relation to clinical, immunological and HRQoL outcomes. We will investigate the following specific research issues:

• The impact of abnormally low or BMI on HRQoL before and after therapeutic intervention.
• Adverse HRQoL outcomes despite adequate clinical response following intervention in clinical trial settings.
• Associations between antiphospholipid antibodies and belimumab efficacy.
• The frequency and consequences of anti-drug antibodies against.
• Factors associated with long-term belimumab survival.

The doctoral student is going to work with already collected data for some studies, and collect data prospectively for other studies. The student will be involved in the design of the study, including construction of CRFs and data collection systems. The student will be responsible for collecting and structuring data needed for the studies. The student will participate in the development of the assays for measuring belimumab concentrations and levels of anti-belimumab antibodies, perform part of the wet lab work needed, perform the statistical analysis for the studies, and communicate the results graphically. The student will be responsible for drafting several of the manuscripts that will be derived from the project.

The student will attend group meetings and journal clubs, and be given opportunities to present the research in local meeting as well as in national and international conferences. Apart from work directly related to the studies of the doctoral project, the student is expected to contribute to all functions and duties of the group

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
Expertise in statistical analysis using SPSS and R will be required. Expertise in graphical illustration is highly valued. Candidates with previous work within the field will be prioritised for the position. Previous publications within the field will be highly valued.

We will value communication competence, collaborative qualities, and ability to interact, integrate in the group and contribute to a positive, pleasant and friendly working atmosphere.

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. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish:

- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae 
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any 
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above 
- 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. This position is within the division of Rheumatology, in team Ioannas Parodis https://staff.ki.se/people/ioapar

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