Doctoral (PhD) student position in Molecular Neuropharmacology with focus on Parkinson’s disease - 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
The group of Translational Neuropharmacology includes mainly molecular biologists, biochemists and medical doctors performing research under supervision of professor Per Svenningsson (https://ki.se/en/cns/per-svenningssons-research-group). The aim of the research is further elucidation of factors underlying Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease and depression, with additional focus on the role of immune system in their etiology. The research extends widely from basic to clinical research,
which facilitates the translation of basic findings into clinical, in order to discover prospective therapies for PD patients. The strength of the group lies in the fact that this translational opportunity is combined with methodological expertise in genetics, radiology and protein science.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
This project is partly supported by a KID grant from Karolinska Institutet. The focus is molecular neuropharmacological studies on the GPR37 receptor and the neuropeptide prosaposin in Parkinson´s disease. The project will employ a variety of techniques in intracellular dynamics, signal transduction, protein-protein interaction and aggregation, studies of animal models and use of patient samples.

The studies relate to the role of 7TM receptor-mediated processes in the etiologies of Parkinson's disease. In particular, the functional role of GPR37 and elucidating its ligands, activation mechanism, and interaction with prosaposin will be focused on. Various molecular and cellular assays for enzymatic activities, receptor trafficking and signaling and function will be employed in vitro and in vivo. Disease link will be supplemented by patient sample analysis. Successful applicants will generate data that guide the development of novel approaches to be tested in cell and animal models of Parkinsonism. Independence and strong motivation are expected throughout the project. The student is expected to, under guidance, perform experiments, and analyze data as well as write reports and manuscripts in English.

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 successful candidate should have a strong drive to pursue experimental research, and be ambitious and innovative. The project is pursued in collaboration with other researchers and good collaborative skills are necessary. Knowledge and experience in molecular neuropharmacology, preferably in the neurodegeneration field, is advantageous. Experience of working with transgenic mice, signal transduction assays, protein biochemistry and molecular cell biology techniques, is a merit.

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.