Institutionen för neurobiologi, vårdvetenskap och samhälle

The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. NVS educates almost a third of KI students at basic and advanced levels. The Department has approximately 540 employees and a revenue 2023 of 530 million SEK. It comprises seven divisions, located at Campus Flemingsberg and Campus Solna.

The Division of Neurogeriatric consists of about 85 employees. The division conducts experimental and translational research related primarily to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, but also more general molecular mechanisms with biomedical relevance are studied, in BioClinicum, KI Campus Solna and Neo, KI Campus Flemingsberg.

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 position is placed in the group of Jaan-Olle Andressoo. Dr Jaan-Olle Andressoo recently opened a laboratory at the KI Huddinge Campus based on Center of Innovative Medicine Young Investigator Grant. He has a parallel team at the University of Helsinki Finland funded in part by ERC CoG grant. The two laboratories share work discussions and projects. At the Huddinge campus Andressoo team collaborates closely with Dr Janne Johansson team focusing on defining treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Together with the KI environment, this setup provides critical mass for excellent performance. The laboratory’s goal is to develop novel therapeutic approaches to treat neurological diseases by regulating expression of endogenous morphogens and other genes controlling neuronal survival and plasticity. As an example, the group is developing a new technology termed conditional Knock Up, see the upcoming manuscript.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In this position you will be part of an innovative project where we aim to conditionally enhance the function of several genes of interest to model and treat neurodegenerative disease. Recently we have made great progress in this direction by showing that it is possible to use CRE-FLEX and CRISPR-Cas9 systems to conditionally upregulate endogenous gene expression limited to naturally expressing cells.

We are looking for a PhD student to study gene regulation in aging and neurological diseases. The student will examine upregulation of endogenous genes using CRISPR-Cas systems in in vitro and in vivo models of Alzheimer’s disease as well as investigate gene regulation changes upon aging in various in vivo models. In the projects, we will examine gene expression changes with qPCR, RNAseq and proteomics analysis. Furthermore, the student will be involved in projects studying gene upregulation in available and newly created knock-in mouse models of several neurological diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The candidate will, in collaboration with other team members, identify and formulate scientific ideas critically and creatively; plan, execute, understand and discuss research questions, methodologies, results and interpretations; present research findings effectively to the group as well as to national and international research community.

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.

(A) and (B) can only be certified by the documentation requirement for doctoral education.

Skills and personal qualities

The ideal candidate has previously worked with neurodegenerative diseases and experience working with CRISPR-Cas-systems is a requirement. Furthermore, the candidate is required to have experience in working with both in vitro mammalian cell culturing and in vivo mouse models, and is required to be comfortable with some of the following molecular biology techniques; molecular cloning, DNA, RNA and protein isolation, PCR, qPCR, Western blot, ELISA. Preferably, the candidate has experience with cell sorting (FACS). An interest for bioinformatic analyses is highly valued and the candidate preferably has previous experience in analysis of either genomics, transcriptomics, and/or proteomics data in programming languages R, Python or similar languages. An EU accepted license to work with animals, such as FELASA C, is an advantage. Experience in mouse behavioral analysis, mouse dissections and perfusion, and stereotactic injections a bonus.

We are looking for a candidate who is driven, motivated, takes initiative, can work independently, and thinks innovatively. The candidate should have a strong collaborative attitude with good communication skills and good social skills. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are required. The ability to work in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment and to engage in continuous professional development is a must. Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

The working language is mainly English and good written and oral skills in English is a requirement. Good written and oral skills in Swedish is an advantage.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

Video about Karolinska Institutet, how we all work towards "a better health for all":

Video about a workingday in Flemingsberg:


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. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish.

Your application must contain the following documents:

- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above
- 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
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-2481/2021
Contact
  • Johanna Lundblad, HR partner, 08 524 868 35
  • Jaan-Olle Andressoo, Research group leader, jaan-olle.andressoo@ki.se
Union representative
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65
  • Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, 08-524 835 29
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
Published 27.May.2021
Last application date 16.Jun.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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