Doctoral (PhD) student position in immunology - 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 Department of Medicine, Solna, consists of 43 research Divisions belonging to 12 different research units. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet. The research group is part of a highly interactive research environment at the Division of Rheumatology, and is actively pursuing questions in basic immune responses in autoimmunity and cancer. The main research focus of the research group is to understand how immune cell responses are controlled in systemic autoimmune diseases and in cancer.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The introduction of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of several cancer types including aggressive metastatic melanoma. Unfortunately, many patients do not respond or acquire resistance to ICB therapy. Recent data indicate that high levels of IL8 underlie poor ICB responses in cancer patients, however, the absence of a good IL8-humanized mouse model has made it impossible to perform mechanistic studies of IL8’s role in ICB resistance. To solve this, the research group has recently developed an IL8-humanized mouse (Hum-IL8) mouse model with physiological expression of human IL8 and its human receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. In this project the doctoral student will use the Hum-IL8 model to dissect the role of IL8 in cancer progression and in the resistance to ICB. The chemokine IL8 plays a complex role in tumor progression where it feeds tumor growth and induces the recruitment of tumor-associated neutrophils and granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells, promotes angiogenesis, activates epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and increases the drug resistance of tumor cells. In addition, elevated IL8 levels are strongly associated with poor outcome of ICB therapy in several cancer forms. Human anti-IL-8 antibodies have recently been developed, and phase I clinical trials in patients with solid tumors demonstrate that IL8-blockade is well tolerated and leads to reduced IL8 levels in serum. However, due to the lack of relevant preclinical models, the mechanistic role of IL8 in tumor progression and resistance to ICB therapy is still poorly understood. The aim of this project is to understand the role of IL8 in cancer progression and resistance to ICB, and the purpose is to contribute to the development of new IL8-blockade based strategies for improved efficacy of ICB therapies. We are seeking a highly talented doctoral candidate with a background in molecular biology, immunology and tumor biology. The successful candidate should be self-motivated and have excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. The candidate must be able to integrate well into the group and the international and multidisciplinary research environment as a whole. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is a requirement. The selected candidate will be a part of a team and collaborate closely with graduate and undergraduate students.

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 primarily welcome applications from students with a strong background in molecular biology and immunology. Especially, skills in multicolor flow cytometry and tumor analysis is desired. Documented experience in tumor immunology and RStudio is a plus.

The candidate should have strong communication and organisational skills. Excellent written and spoken English is a must. Personal suitability will be a important factor in the recruitment.

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.

Location

The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group The research group is part of a highly interactive research environment at the Division of Rheumatology, and is actively pursuing questions in basic immune responses in autoimmunity and cancer.

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