Doctoral (PhD) student position in human immune-microbiota crosstalk - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

A doctoral position is an available doctoral education project to which a PhD student is to be recruited. After the selection process the process for admission to doctoral education will commence. An admission decision will not be taken until an individual study plan has been approved by the departmental admission board.

For more information regarding doctoral (PhD) education, see: http://www.ki.se/doctoral. 

Research group
The Department of Medicine at Huddinge comprises seven units, three research centers and, around 70 independent research groups. The Center for Infectious Medicine (CIM) is a research unit within the Department of Medicine Huddinge with a focus on translational studies of the human immune system and infection-immunity in humans. CIM has since its inauguration in 2002 rapidly grown and gained national and international recognition. The vision is to become one of the leading translational research centers within immunity and infectious diseases in Europe.

The research group where the announced position will be placed is headed by Tim Willinger and studies the human immune system using cutting-edge in vivo models (Nature Biotechnology 32:364, 2014). We are investigating immune responses in mucosal tissues (gut, lung) and the interaction of the human immune system with commensal microbes (microbiota) in health and disease (http://ki.se/en/medh/tim-willinger-group-0).

The doctoral education project and the duties of the student
The project’s main focus is to determine the immune regulatory effects of the human microbiota in vivo using mice with a human immune system. We aim to dissect how the immune system maintains gut and lung homeostasis and how disturbed immune-microbiota crosstalk causes tissue inflammation. Another focus is to identify novel factors that regulate the immune-microbiota crosstalk. Understanding the interplay of the immune system with the microbiota has great potential to develop novel strategies for the treatment of human diseases.

To achieve our research aims, we are using innovative models with direct human relevance that allow experimental modulation of the immune system and the microbiota. Our multidisciplinary approach involves advanced immunological techniques and systems biology analyses, such as multi-parameter flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and next-generation sequencing.

Entry requirements for doctoral education at KI
To be eligible for doctoral education following requirements has to be met:

General entry requirements
A person meets the general entry requirements for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education (according to Higher Education Ordinance Chapt 7, section 39) if he/she:

1. has been awarded advanced/second-cycle/master qualification (i.e. master degree) or
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle/master level, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Specific entry requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school:
Proficiency in the English language can be documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or IELTS, see web-link below for more information.
Applicants who meet the general entry requirements (1 or 2 above) from a university in one of the Nordic countries fulfill the requirements in English.

For more information regarding general and specific entry requirements: http://ki.se/en/education/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

Skills and personal qualities
To qualify, the applicant must have a background in immunology, biomedicine, molecular biology, genetics, or equivalent. Merit is given to applicants who have previous lab experience and experience with immunological techniques, such as flow cytometry. Great advantage is experience in designing and performing animal experiments.The candidate should be highly motivated, have good communication skills, and ability to interact effectively and work productively in a team. Fluency in English is a requirement.

Assessment criteria
A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. 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

The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

Terms and conditions
The most common way of financial support for doctoral students at KI is doctoral grant the first year and a doctoral studentship (doctoral employment) for year 2, 3 and 4. During the time between recruitment and admission a short-term employment can be offered for up to 6 months.

Application process
An application must contain the following documents in Swedish or English:

• A personal letter and curriculum vitae
• A copy of degree certificates and associated certificates
• A copy of degree projects and any previous publications

The application is to be submitted through the MyNetwork recruitment system.