Doctoral (PhD) student position in metatranscriptomics and bioinformatics - 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

We search for a PhD student that together with Professor Birgitta Henriques Normark and her collaborators will work on a project on metatranscriptomics and bioinformatics

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global health threats. Respiratory tract infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia is a common and severe infection especially in small children and in the elderly. The etiology of the disease is often unknown because lung tissues cannot be examined unless biopsies are taken. Community-acquired pneumonia is most often caused by the two bacterial respiratory pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. But young children may carry these bacteria in the upper respiratory tract without symptoms. Adults are less colonized by these two pathogens, but they still get pneumonia frequently caused by particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae.

In this project, mainly funded by a grant from the Swedish Research Council as a collaborative grant with Chinese researchers, we aim to develop and evaluate sequence-based methodologies and metatranscriptomics for diagnosis of respiratory tract infections with a focus on lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia.  We aim at unravelling both bacterial, viral, and host factors that are important for development of lower respiratory tract infections

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 qualify, the applicant must apply to the rules for becoming a PhD student at the Karolinska Institutet and be without a PhD. Previous experience in relevant subject areas for the project including bioinformatics, genomics, previous work with sequences from microbes, experience in programming (preferably C++ with CUDA and R Shiny) will be prioritized. Personal competence including social skills and relevant competences in languages such as English and /or Swedish is favorable

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.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all