Doctoral (Phd) student position in adipocyte systems biology

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 Rydén and Mejhert Laboratory investigates how alterations in human white adipocyte function contribute to cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis. Our multidisciplinary team comprises 15–20 members and includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD and master’s students, and technical staff, conducts cutting-edge translational research. We are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a comprehensive preclinical laboratory at KI Campus Flemingsberg and a dedicated clinical research unit at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, enabling seamless integration from basic science to clinical application.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious PhD student to join our laboratory. The doctoral student will work on a cutting-edge research project focused on defining the cellular microarchitecture of human white adipose tissue (WAT) and understanding how it is influenced by type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and modern oral antihyperglycemic drugs. The student will apply state-of-the-art single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snSeq) and spatial transcriptomics (STx) technologies to map cell populations and their spatial organization in WAT depots. These results will be jointly analyzed with chromatin accessibility data. A key aspect of the project will be integrating these datasets with clinical and functional assessments, leveraging advanced bioinformatics pipelines in R and Python.

The student will gain expertise in high-throughput sequencing technologies, bioinformatics, and machine learning-based deconvolution approaches to analyze bulk RNA sequencing data. In addition to computational work, validation of key findings will be performed at the protein level using standard wet lab techniques. There will also be opportunities to engage with ongoing clinical studies and learn about patient recruitment, sample collection, and metabolic phenotyping techniques, including hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. The project is highly interdisciplinary, involving collaborations with leading researchers in metabolism, bioinformatics, and clinical medicine, providing the student with a strong foundation in translational research.

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 should have a strong background in systems biology, with experience in next-generation sequencing technologies, particularly single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Proficiency in bioinformatics is essential, including expertise in data analysis using R and/or Python for processing and interpreting transcriptomic and chromatin accesibility data.

In addition to technical skills, the candidate should possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to work with large-scale datasets and apply computational tools for quality control, clustering, and integration of multi-omics data. A structured and detail-oriented approach to experimental design, data handling, and interpretation of results is crucial.

On a personal level, the successful applicant should be proactive and able to work independently while also being an excellent team player. Given the collaborative nature of the project, interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with bioinformaticians, clinicians, and wet-lab researchers are essential. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and a willingness to develop new skills will be highly valued. Prior experience with clinical sample handling, bulk RNA sequencing, or proteomic analyses would be advantageous but is not a requirement.

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.

Rydén and Mejhert laboratory

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