Doctoral (PhD) student position in Reproductive Immunology

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

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

We are investigating immune cells in pregnancy, with a specific focus on interactions between T cells and other cells in the placental microenvironment. The Department of Laboratory of Medicine, located in Campus Flemingsberg, is one of the Karolinska Institutet’s largest departments with 9 research divisions including the Division for Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM) where the project will be carried out. The laboratory is located in the research facility ANA Futura, which provides all the equipment and infrastructure needed for cellular and molecular biology research.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

We are seeking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student with an interest in human immunology who will explore tissue resident and circulating immune cells in different aspects. The primary focus will be to examine maternal immune cell interactions with fetal tissues in placentas from healthy and complicated pregnancies. The applicant will be expected to use a wide range of immunological techniques, such as multicolor flow cytometry, multiplex protein assays and fluorescence microscopy, for the characterization of immune cells and to understand the environment in which these cells reside. In vitro cell cultures will also be used to examine immune cell responses and migration.

The candidate is expected to take a lead in the project’s design, experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation as well as presentation/publication of the research. The duties also include working in a team, keeping up with the literature, presenting data, and attending seminars, lab meetings, and journal clubs.

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:

have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
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
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

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong scientific drive and who preferably holds a degree in Molecular Biology or Biomedicine. The applicant is expected to possess the following skills and experience:

Previous experience in working in a research lab environment
Theoretical knowledge in immunology
Hands-on experience in multi-color flow cytometry and related software packages
Fluency in written and spoken English

The following skills and experience are considered meriting:

Practical experience in human tissue handling
Theoretical knowledge in reproductive immunology
Previous experience in developing new methods
Proficiency in cell culture, western blot, and PCR
Experience in analysis of proteomic data
Previous records of independent research as well as productive interactions within a team (e.g. first- or co-author publications)

We attach great importance to personal qualities in this recruitment. The applicant should be highly collegial and be able to work well in a team as well as having the ability to work independently. The applicant should possess organizational skills and have excellent analytical skills, possess curiosity and creativity, and have capacity to take responsibility for research projects together with the supervisor.

https://ki.se/en/labmed/research-group-helen-kaipe

Terms and conditions

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

Location: 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.