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 laboratory of Marianne Farnebo, which currently includes 9 employees - 4 PhD students, 3 postdocs and a lab manager- and locates at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) at Karolinska Institutet. The laboratory studies the function of non-coding RNA and RNA-binding proteins in DNA repair and chromatin remodeling, and how defects in these processes contribute to cancer. A number of cutting-edge techniques required to study RNA are already up and running in Farnebo laboratory, including single-molecule RNA FISH, RNA tethering, live-cell imaging and laser-micro irradiation.

Farnebo laboratory recently moved to Biomedicum, a new interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna under one roof to promote collaboration. Biomedicum house approximately 1,600 researchers and other personnel and allow expensive equipment to be shared and utilised more effectively.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Accumulating evidence reveals that RNA plays a key role in the regulation of DNA repair and genome stability, however, the underlying mechanism(s) remains poorly understood. The PhD project will focus on characterizing the involvement of RNA and associated proteins in the signaling and repair of DNA damage. This project is conceptually novel and expected to have important consequences on our understanding of this essential process and whether these functions are altered in cancer, which could have implications for cancer therapy.

The PhD student will practice a number of molecular and cellular techniques, including cancer cell culture, RNAi, qPCR, immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoprecipitation of proteins, RNAs and DNA (IP, RIP, ChIP). He/she will also learn novel and powerful techniques, such as single-molecule RNA FISH and tethering of RNA and proteins to chromatin.

Supervisors: Marianne Farnebo (main supervisor), Associate Professor, Department of CMB, Karolinska Institutet

Laura Baranello (co-supervisor), Assistant Professor, Department of CMB, Karolinska Institutet

Time period: 4 years full-time studies, starting summer/autumn 2021.

For further information, see Farnebo research lab homepage: https://ki.se/en/cmb/marianne-farnebos-group

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

To build a strong and creative research team, we are looking for high achievers from universities around the world. We will offer an intellectually stimulating environment and are looking for the talented people who will play a part in developing our next breakthrough ideas. Are you ready to discover the unexplored?

More specifically,

  1. Applicant should have a high personal drive and motivation
  2. Applicant should have innovative thinking and be eager to solve problems
  3. Applicant should be efficient and able to work productively in a team
  4. Applicant should be fluent in English (written and spoken)
  5. Applicant should have previous experience various cell biology techniques, including cell culture, microscopy, western blot and cloning
  6. Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability

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
- Transcripts/marks from University and summary marks from High school/Gymnasium
- 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 2-1701/2021
Contact
  • Marianne Farnebo, marianne.farnebo@ki.se
Union representative
  • Magnus Anå, OFR, 08-524 864 37, magnus.ana@ki.se
  • Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, 08-524 835 29
  • Elisabeth Valenzuela, SEKO, 08-524 863 53
Published 07.Apr.2021
Last application date 12.May.2021 11:59 PM CEST

Return to job vacancies