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

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
A doctoral student will work within the Eicosanoids and Proteomics in Rheumatic Diseases group, led by Professor Per-Johan Jakobsson that conducts research at the Rheumatology Division, Centrum of Molecular Medicine. The group is focused on studying pathogenic mechanisms of autoimmune diseases and cancer using targeted lipidomics and proteomics. One of the major aims of our research on characterization of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1) and its impact on the molecular mechanisms in inflammation and cancer. mPGES-1 is an alternative and attractive drug target for inhibition of PGE2 production and proposed as a favorable and feasible approach for treating chronic inflammatory diseases and various forms of cancers.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The doctoral educational project will be performed within the international The ArthritisHeal project that aims to train young researchers to generate novel therapeutic targets focusing on the role of pro-resolving lipids in two rheumatic diseases: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This project is included in Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018) program of courses and exchange visits between the partner institutions. Part of the training period will be carried out at University of Glasgow (Scotland, UK), Leiden University Medical Center (Netherlands) and Sciex (Germany). For more information and details about the project, please go to the ArthritisHeal website (www.ArthritisHeal.eu).
We are looking for a PhD-student who will work with the project focusing on  haracterization of the anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions of novel mPGES-1 inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. mPGES-1 is an alternative and attractive drug target for inhibition of PGE2 production and proposed as a favorable and feasible approach for treating inflammation and pain. The PhD-student is responsible for planning and performing the experiments and reporting and publishing the results in scientific journals and at international conferences. The project includes the analysis of samples obtained from experimental models and clinical material using mass-spectrometry based lipidomics and proteomics. Also in vitro cell-based assays and classical immunoassays will be employed. Analysis of the obtained data and correlation with clinical data will be an important part of the project.

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.

Eligibility criteria for the early stage researcher within ArthritisHeal project

• not have resided in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (Sweden) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date
• not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of selection in the same appointing international organization
• be at the date of recruitment in the first four years of his/her research career
• not have a doctoral degree

Skills and personal qualities
We are looking for a talented and highly motivated student with a background in Biochemistry, Pharmacology or Medicine. Practical experience with cell culture and molecular biology techniques, experimental animal models and mass spectrometry is preferable. Previous experience within similar projects is meriting. The successful candidate must have good communication and collaborative skills and good knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.

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.