Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Molekylär Neurobiologi

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.

We invite applications for a PhD student position to be placed in the laboratory of Professor Ernest Arenas (http://ernestarenaslab.org/) at the Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB).

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

Research environment
Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its vision is to significantly contribute to the improvement of human health. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.
The MBB department consists of 12 research divisions and about 350 employees. We conduct multidisciplinary research in multiple areas and education in Medicine and Biomedicine.

The Arenas laboratory focuses on understanding the entire life span of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, from development to neurodegeneration, and at devising new therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease. We recently moved to a new building and excellent brand new research facilities are available.

The Arenas Lab is integrated in the Division of Molecular Neurobiology https://ki.se/en/mbb/research-division-of-molecular-neurobiology, a highly interactive, young, vibrant and very international research environment formed by seven research groups and about 70 people. English is our common language and it is used in all our activities. Our division provides a unique critical mass contributed by researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise in multiple areas covering advanced genetics, cellular and molecular biology, high content single cell technologies, epigenetics, bioinformatics, imaging, biochemistry, multiple aspects of neuroscience, behavior, electrophysiology, developmental neurobiology, cellular reprogramming and stem cell biology.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
We are looking for a PhD student with interest and experience in the areas of cellular and molecular neurobiology, Parkinson’s disease genetics and bioinformatics. The student will develop a project involving single cell RNA-sequencing of Parkinson’s disease (PD)-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and aiming at investigating the function of PD-relevant genes. The project will take advantage of a brain on a chip model of PD mimicking the nigrostriatal system.
The project will require capacity to work independently, but also in a collaborative manner. The student will have the opportunity to participate in training courses and perform research activities abroad (Italy, Spain and UK), will take PhD courses on the topic of the PhD project at KI, will participate in the research, seminars and educational activities of MBB, and will contribute to report the results of the project to the EU and to disseminate the results.

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
Main requirements:

- Master degree in Biomedical Sciences or Neurosciences.

- Less than 4 years of full-time research experience.

- Less than 12 months of residency in Sweden in the last 3 years prior to recruitment (EU mobility rule).

- Proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.

For more information regarding the general entry requirements, please see:

https://ki.se/en/phd/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

Specific requirements:

- The ideal candidate should have Python and R programming skills, knowledge of midbrain development, Parkinson’s disease and experience in at least two of these areas: single cell biology, stem cell biology, molecular biology and genetics.

- Strong motivation and capacity to pursue challenging research. The optimal candidate will be creative, critical, independent, open to new ideas, flexible, engaged, methodic and goal oriented.

- Excellent communication skills and proficiency in spoken and written English.

- Availability to travel nationally and internationally two to three times a year.

Desirable: 

- Experience in working with single-cell RNA-seq, dopaminergic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and Parkinson’s disease genetics.

- Previous training in a multidisciplinary international environment or outside of the country of origin or in a high profile lab.

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.

- Particular emphasis will be placed on the motivation, personal trajectory, skills and track record of the candidate.

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

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.

 

All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 1/10/2019
Salary monthly
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-3484/2019
Contact
  • Ernest Arenas , +46 8-524 876 63
Published 14.Jun.2019
Last application date 31.Jul.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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