Doctoral (PhD) student position in cancer immunotherapy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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 research group is a part of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at the Karolinska Institutet South Campus. The student will work under the supervision of Dr. Anna Pasetto, assistant professor and managing director of the pre-GMP core facility at ANA Futura. One of the main focus areas of the research group is to develop new immunotherapies against solid tumors by identifying immunological receptors able to recognize mutated antigens expressed by cancer cells; these receptors can then be engineered to generate CAR-T cells, TCR-T cells and other types of cell therapies.

The research conducted at the Department of Laboratory Medicine is of immediate significance to human health. An important part of the department's work is to contribute the specialized skills needed for the training of future healthcare personnel.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The overall aim of this project is to investigate the tumor micro-environment of the most difficult to treat brain cancers, both in adults affected by glioblastoma (GBM) and in children affected by diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG); the final goal is to develop a new immunotherapy approach using genetically modified T cells targeting specific immunogenic mutations.

We have 3 major sets of questions:

1. What are the immunodominant antigens expressed by GBM? Can we generate specific T cell clones able to attack these antigens?
2. What is the mutational landscape in pediatric patients affected by DIPG? Can we find similar immunodominant antigens compared to GBM? Can we redirect T cells towards these antigens?
3. Specific T cell clones can be functional in killing brain tumor cells in traditional 2D culture systems, but this often do not translate into real efficacy in vivo. Will 3D culture systems, using patient-derived primary glioblastoma cell lines, have better predictive value of efficacy when compared to in vivo orthotopic GBM mouse models?

The doctoral student is going to work with already collected data for some studies, and also collect data prospectively for other studies. The student will participate in the design and execution of the experimental research, perform the statistical analysis, communicate the results in oral and written form. The student will be responsible for drafting the manuscripts that will be derived from the project.

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
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate who express a passionate interest for the research aims of the lab. We welcome applications from talented students with degrees in biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, genetic engineering or equivalent. Documented hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques and cell culture is a requirement, advanced understanding of immunology and cancer biology is an advantage.

The candidate should have good communication skills and an ability to interact effectively and to work productively in a team. The candidate will join an enthusiastic, collaborative, hardworking and dynamic team. An excellent ability to express themselves in written and oral English is a requirement. The candidate should be able to work efficiently with the research team but also be driven to conduct independent work to advance the project.

During the selection process, analytical skills, ability to think critically and independently, as well as personal qualities will be evaluated. We will value communication competence, collaborative qualities and abilities to interact and to integrate within the group and to contribute to a positive, pleasant and friendly working atmosphere.

Terms and conditions
The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship (Sw: "doktorandanställning") maximum 4 years full-time. The salary is partly financed by the internal framework funding agreement KID."

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.

Your application should contain the following documents. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish:

• 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.

Location and Links
This position is within the Division of Clinical Microbiology which is a part of the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huddinge/Flemingsberg South Campus.

Read about the Division of Clinical Microbiology
Read about the Department of Laboratory Medicine

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