At the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology we teach and conduct internationally acclaimed, high-quality research in Physiology, Pharmacology, Anesthesiology and Intensive care. We have around 400 employees, 30 research groups, and 90 doctoral students. Our research fields include cellular signaling, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, neuropsychopharmacology, neuroinflammation, pharmacogenetics, regenerative medicine, Renal System, anesthesiology and intensive care, muscle physiology and pain. Our collaboration with the clinics at Karolinska University Hospital provides unique opportunities for translational research within our subjects. More information about research at http://ki.se/fyfa_english

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
A doctoral position is available in the lab of Carl M. Sellgren at the department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet. Sellgren lab is located in Biomedicum, a new interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna. Our research focuses on identifying molecular mechanisms causing neurodevelopmental disorders by creating human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based models derived from patients in our collaborating clinics at Karolinska Sjukhuset and Massachusetts General Hospital. We have a particular interest in the role of microglia in brain development under physiological as well as pathophysiological conditions and have for example developed in vitro models for studying microglial synapse engulfment using patient-derived cells. The research is well funded from e.g. Marianne and Markus Wallenbergs Stiftelse, One Mind Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, Stockholm County, Hjärnfonden, and KI StratNeuro.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
Postmortem studies have revealed decreased synapse density in schizophrenia and we recently observed excessive elimination of synapses in schizophrenia-derived in vitro models of microglia-mediated synaptic pruning (Nature Neurosci.2019;22:374-385). This suggests that early therapeutic interventions in high-risk subjects, aimed at reducing excessive synaptic pruning, may be beneficial in preventing schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear to what extent our hiPSC-based 2D models recapitulate in vivo conditions. Thus, for optimal identification of high-risk subjects, as well as development of targeted treatments, effect modification of implicated genetic risk variants as well as independent mechanisms need to be further explored. In the proposed research program we aim to explore molecular mechanisms underlying increased synapse elimination in schizophrenia using patient-derived brain organoids, more closely resembling in vivo conditions, and an integrated approach including single cell RNA sequencing, in vitro phagocytosis assays, targeted gene editing and in vivo engraftments. The student will learn laboratory skills including derivation of brain organoids from skin biopsies, functional phagocytosis quantifications in hiPSC-derived models, RNA sequencing, cell sorting (FACS/MACS), and gene editing (CRISPR).

Main supervisor:
Carl M. Sellgren (MD, PhD) , Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet

Co-supervisors:
Robert Harris (PhD), Dept. of Clinical Neuroscience
Roy H. Perlis (MD), Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Steven Sheridan (PhD), Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

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
To build a creative research team, we are looking for high achievers from universities around the world. We will offer an intellectually stimulating environment and are looking for the talented people who will play a key part in a rapidly developing research area with potential to change our patients life.

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.

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.

 

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

Contract type Full time
First day of employment In agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Reference number 2-6154/2019
Contact
  • Carl Sellgren, carl.sellgren@ki.se
Union representative
  • Bo Rydqvist, SACO, 08-524 872 67
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
Published 11.Dec.2019
Last application date 10.Jan.2020 11:59 PM CET

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