Doctoral (PhD) student position in Environmental Medicine - 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 Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) is a department at Karolinska Institutet and an interdisciplinary research institute. IMM conducts advanced research and education in environmental and occupational medicine, toxicology, physiology, epidemiology and biostatistics with a focus on clarifying how environmental and lifestyle factors affect human health. IMM is also a national expert body in environmental medicine and IMM's researchers are scientific advisors to authorities and other decision-makers and participate in national and international expert groups.

The doctoral position will be hosted at the Unit of System Toxicology at IMM. The mission at the System Toxicology unit is to perform top quality research to understand how different environmental exposures affect human wellbeing, focusing on the impact of chemicals and microbes on epithelial barrier function and immunity. We work with experimental and bioinformatics models and methods, including cells, zebrafish, and different omics analysis. 

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral project will be focused on investigating the impact of chemical exposures on the function of epithelial barriers. The project builds on several on-going projects and will be centered around using the zebrafish embryo model to elucidate how exposure to natural and man-made chemcials affect tissue repair and regeneration in these barriers, function of the commensal microbiome residing there, and resulting systemic consequences. This will be performed by integrating studies on tissue- cellular- and molecular level with several omics’ approaches, including transcriptomics, metabolomics and metagenomics. 

The doctoral student will be expected to contribute to designing, performing, analyzing, and interpreting experimental-based studies and different data layers arising from these, as well as to present results in scientific text. The student will be expected to present his or her results at national and international conferences and meetings and to discuss the research and results with the scientific community and with different groups in society. The student is also expected to participate in joint activities at IMM and the System Toxicology unit, to contribute to teaching and to participate in doctoral courses and other learning activities at Karolinska Institutet.

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 doctoral candidate should have completed at least one year of studies at the master’s level in toxicology or similar discipline relevant for the doctoral project, in accordance with the eligibility criteria. The applicant is required to have knowledge and training in cell biology, as well as basic understanding of molecular biology, toxicology, and microbiology. Basic understanding of toxicity test methods and experience or strong interest in bioinformatics methods are also required. 

Further, it is desired that the candidate has practical experience with evaluating and interpreting different types of experimentally derived data (e.g., gene expression, dose-response), with applying molecular biology methodologies (e.g., nucleic acid extraction, PCR, immunohistochemistry), as well as practical experience from performing imaging and image analysis. It is also desired that he or she has knowledge of chemical analysis (LC-GC/MS). Experience in working with zebrafish as an experimental model may be considered meritorious.

Doctoral studies entail working independently toward long-term goals. The candidate therefore is required to be highly motivated, regarding both the scientific questions and experimental methods, be problem-solving oriented, organized and thorough, and be able to take own initiatives. He or she should be able to work well within a multidisciplinary team and have good cooperation and communication skills. Good communication in English, both orally and in writing, is required.

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.

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.

https://ki.se/en/imm/institute-of-environmental-medicine

https://staff.ki.se/people/emma-wincent

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