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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 seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join Päivi Östling team at Department of Oncology-Pathology, SciLifeLab at Solna Campus to do research on drug repurposing in viral infections. Your research will be carried out at the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), which is a leading national infrastructure for next-generation life science research in Sweden. SciLifeLab is jointly operated by the four host universities: Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Uppsala University, and it has facilities in four other universities across Sweden. There are over 1000 people working at SciLifeLab, either in research groups or in the infrastructure facilities, most of them in the KI Solna campus and in Uppsala. This position resides at the Solna campus. Our group does primarily research on precision cancer medicine with the aim of optimizing treatments for individual cancer patients based on molecular profiling and functional drug testing. Additionally, we are developing a novel drug repurposing strategy for SARS-CoV-2 based on host cell responses to drug treatments within the REMEDi4ALLconsortium. Our team's overall goal is to develop a drug repurposing framework using screening and omics- profiling to combat viral diseases. www.scilifelab.se/researchers/olli-kallioniemi/

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The PhD student will be involved in our ongoing efforts to develop a novel drug repurposing strategy for viral diseases. We work with small-molecule drugs from clinical development or approval and investigate their role and mechanism-of-action in viral infections. We are partners in Horizon EU research consortium REMEDi4ALL which has an overall goal to assemble and operate a drug repurposing platform in Europe. Thereby, your mission is to be part and assist in a leading research environment in Europe for drug repurposing research. The candidate’s focus will be the development, performing and analysis of various cell-based assays by high-content screening, proteomics, transcriptomics, or other methods using various cell lines as infection models. This research work requires creativity, pro-active mindset, and collaborative skills.

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

Qualifications:

•  Qualified candidates have obtained at least a master’s degree in a relevant field, such as infection biology, biomedical science.
• Hands-on experience in cell culture techniques, virology research and BSL3 is required.
• Applicants with at least one year of experience in high-throughput screening techniques (Cell-titer Glo- and fluorescence image-based assays), subsequent image analysis and previous knowledge on viral infectious will be prioritized.
• Fluency in English and Swedish is mandatory

Merits:

• Understanding of data handling and basic bioinformatics skills are highly valued.
• The projects are carried out in an interdisciplinary environment that involves collaboration with several groups within Sweden and Europe. Therefore, the candidate should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be service-minded and enjoy working in a team. 

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. 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.

Apply at the latest 8^th November.

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