Karolinska Institutet, AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Solna.

A doctoral student is to be 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.

 

The research group is based at AIMES - Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences. AIMES is a newly established interdisciplinary research center co-affiliated between Karolinska Institutet (KI) and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). Research at AIMES is characterized by intimate interactions between pre-clinical and clinical scientists and researchers with natural sciences and engineering backgrounds.

Biomedical research in infection and neuroscience is addressed by the development of cutting-edge approaches based on Organic Bioelectronics, Organ-on-Chip technology, and Tissue Microbiology, which combines expertise in electroactive polymers, chemistry, microfluidics, neurobiology, microbiology, physiology, pathology and intravital imaging. Other areas of research include renewable biomaterials, sensor technologies and anti-fouling surfaces. AIMES has an explicit aim to translate scientific findings to societal use via strong interactions with external stakeholders.

 

AIMES is located in Biomedicum, KI Campus Solna. AIMES is hosted at KI by the Department of Neuroscience, world-leaders in research on the function of the nervous system in health and disease. AIMES host at KTH is the Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, the largest academic institution on native and synthetic polymers in Sweden.

 

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student 
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the group of Assistant Professor Keira Melican as a PhD student to work on a project focusing on bacterial pathogenesis and specifically on how bacteria colonize and infect human skin. This position is supported by an internal Karolinska Institutet KID grant. The project centers on the gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus and will study the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between S. aureus and human skin. Additionally, the project will study how S. aureus interacts with other skin microbiota both in vitro and in vivo, with a focus on competitive inhibition and alternative approaches to treatment of bacterial infection. Methods to be used include humanized tissue models, microscopy and microbiological and immunological screening. The successful candidate will take part in all research-related activities such as group meetings, departmental seminars, national/international meetings, as well as standard laboratory routines of the group. Finally, the PhD student will work to achieve the course requirements of the PhD program as outlined in the relevant rules and documentation available at the ki.se website. 

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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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 seeking a highly motivated person with an interest in bacterial pathogenesis and the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction. The successful applicant needs to be fluent in English, have excellent communication skills and the ability to interact effectively and work productively in a team. Previous research experience, both academic and industrial, as well as international will be of merit. Experience with microbiology, bacterial infection, immunology and human tissue are highly desirable.  

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 as soon as possible
Reference number 2-6135/2019
Published 05.Dec.2019
Last application date 27.Dec.2019 11:59 PM CET

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