The Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (MMK) carries out both preclinical and clinical research within numerous fields. Linked to the department are approximately 450 researchers, postgraduate students, teachers and technical & administrative staff and we currently have about 150 PhD students. The department is conducting undergraduate courses for medical students, physiotherapist students, biomedicine students and biomedical laboratory students.

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?


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 Organization of Signal Transduction in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery includes several research subgroups investigating different aspects of pancreatic beta-cell function in health and disease. In recent years, the group has established the innovative and versatile platform based on islet transplantation into the anterior chamber of the eye and successfully pioneered its application in in vivo characterization of signal-transduction in islet cells and other cells. Research projects include a broad range of in vivo studies on beta-cell function combined with a large number of researches on the molecular and cellular levels. Our research focus on the study of the complex regulatory machinery by which the insulin-secreting beta-cells orchestrate their actions due to the signaling processes triggered by glucose and a number of additional circulating factors, including apolipoprotein CIII. Our ambition for the near future is to investigate the exact mechanisms by which lowering apoCIII improves metabolic health in the context of obesity and diabetes mellitus; and to develop new therapeutic tools targeting apoCIII for prevention and/or treatment of metabolic disorders in a safer, more effective and more efficient way as compare to the currently available ones.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
Apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) is a key player in diabetes mellitus. Under physiological conditions, insulin represses apoCIII. In type-1 diabetes mellitus apoCIII is induced due to the lack of insulin. In the decompensated phase of type-2 diabetes mellitus, where hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are establish, the lack of insulin actions also induce apoCIII. A number of investigations have reported that lowering apoCIII with antisense oligonucleotides are able to improve the metabolic status in diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms by which apoCIII reduction can contribute to prevent and/or treat such pathological threats are currently unknown.
A PhD position is available to study the pathophysiology of apolipoprotein CIII in different rodent models (mice and rats) of type-1 and type-2 diabetes mellitus. The overall focus of the project is to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which lowering apolipoprotein CIII is able to prevent and/or reverse diabetes mellitus. The studies will employ rodent models as well as pancreatic islets´ isolation and transplantation in the anterior chamber of the eye, in vivo confocal imaging of the transplanted islets and molecular biology techniques.

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
We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated, and socially skilled candidate that enjoys working in a collaborative environment. The candidate should be able to work independently and have knowledge in how to ask and interpret scientific questions and to critically review the results. Since the applicant will work in a highly international environment good communication skills and proficiency in spoken and written English are essential.
The candidate should have an interest in scientific research related to apolipoprotein CIII insulin signaling and diabetes mellitus (type-1 and type-2) and should have laboratory experience within the field of cell biology with special emphasis on genetic and microscopy techniques.

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

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Efter överenskommelse
Salary Månadslön
Reference number 2-6320/2019
Contact
  • Ismael Valladolid Acebes, ismael.valladolid.acebes@ki.se
Union representative
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
  • Virpi Töhönen, SACO, virpi.thononen@ki.se
  • Elisabeth Noren-Krog, OFR, elisabeth.noren-krog@ki.se
Published 10.Dec.2019
Last application date 22.Dec.2019 11:59 PM CET

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