The Department of Medicine, Solna, is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet. The department consists of several divisions that are separated into different research groups. The core activities of the department are research, doctoral education and undergraduate education for medical and biomedical students. The research has three main profiles: allergy, cardiovascular medicine and inflammatory diseases.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

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
The experimental endocrinology unit, at the Department of Medicine, Solna, is an internationally active research group conducting experimental and translational studies in the field of immunology and autoimmune diseases.
The PhD student will be supervised by Dr Nils Landegren, and cosupervised by Professor Olle Kämpe, Dr Petter Brodin, and Dr Johan Svensson.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
Women face a four-fold higher risk of developing an autoimmune disease compared to men. Sex differences in immune-mediated disorders are well-documented, but have remained poorly understood and are not taken into account in current therapies. The doctoral project is focused on investigating the basis for sex differences in the human immune system.
Two complementary model systems will be applied to assess the separate roles of sex hormones and sex chromosomes in immune regulation. The first part of the studies involves investigation of samples from transgender women and men initiating treatment with cross-sex hormones, which are collected in an ongoing multicenter study in Sweden. A combination of broad-scale technologies will be applied to follow dynamics provoked by sex hormone transition in peripheral blood immune cells, autoimmune reactivity, plasma proteins, and gut microbiota. As a complementary model to capture effects mediated by sex chromosomes, studies will be conducted on blood samples from mosaic individuals harboring immune cells with two distinct sex chromosome karyotypes. Single cell transcriptomic analysis will be used to compare the molecular phenotypes of these cell populations, thereby revealing the influence of chromosomal sex in an otherwise fixed genetic and hormonal background.
The studies have potential of providing insight in fundamental mechanisms underlying sex differences in the human immune system, thus providing a basis for development of more individualized and precise treatments of sex-biased autoimmune diseases.
We are looking for a talented, highly dedicated candidate with strong analytical skills and a positive attitude. As a PhD student, the successful candidate is expected to perform practical laboratory work, contribute to the development and optimization of methods, contribute in the planning and organizing collection of patient samples, analysis of data and presentation of results. A successful candidate is also expected to function well in team environment and to have a good ability for problem solving and independent work.

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
Knowledge in Swedish is required, since the project will involve collection of data from medical records and writing ethical application or amendments. Medical degree is further desirable, given the clinically oriented studies. Interest in cell biology, immunology and experimental medicine is encouraged. It is also desirable that the candidate have a practical experience from molecular biology techniques, such as molecular cloning, PCR and affinity-based proteomic analysis, as well as experience from analyzing big datasets.

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.

Location
The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group of Professor Olle Kämpe, at the Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna. The lab is located at the Center for Molecular Medicine in Solna.

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

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
Reference number 2-6210/2019
Contact
  • Nils Landegren, nils.landegren@ki.se
Union representative
  • Niklas Andersson, OFR, niklas.andersson@ki.se
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
Published 09.Dec.2019
Last application date 19.Dec.2019 11:59 PM CET

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