Doctoral (PhD) student position in Epigenetics of inflammatory type 2 diabetes

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 Treuter group has a keen interest and a strong expertise in exploring transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression in the context of metabolic-inflammatory diseases. The group offers a stimulating international research environment, located at the Unit for Biosciences and Nutrition within the Department of Medicine Huddinge. The close proximity to the University Hospital and the excellent infrastructure at KI facilitate both basic and translational research. https://ki.se/en/people/eckardt-treuter

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

We are seeking a highly motivated and self-driven doctoral student with a keen interest in identifying novel epigenetic mechanisms and alterations linked to inflammation in the context of type 2 diabetes. The doctoral project aims to identify functional alterations of enhancers and silencers (currently understudied) linked to gene expression in human monocytes (a major source of inflammatory mediators). The student will investigate whether the cause of such alterations is genetic (e.g. SNPs), epigenetic (e.g. microenvironment-dependent chromatin modifications and 3D organization), or both (e.g. SNPs affecting a transcription factor or chromatin-modifying cofactor to facilitate genetic-epigenetic crosstalk). The project will apply latest genome and epigenome profiling and editing approaches to human monocytes (obtained from T2D donors via our clinical collaborators) and to human monocyte-derived cell lines.

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 successful candidate must:

• have a strong interest in epigenetics and chromatin, mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, immune-metabolic diseases, type 2 diabetes.
• have a higher degree in relevant fields such as molecular biology, molecular medicine, biochemistry or similar
• have excellent communication skills  
• be able to work productively and collaboratively in a team
• be proficient in writing and speaking English

As the project requires wet lab skills, previous laboratory experience within gene regulation, functional genomics, and handling of human monocytes/macrophages and cell lines is considered a strong merit. Experience, or a keen interest in acquiring such, in the biocomputational analysis of next-generation sequencing data (e.g. ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, CUT&Tag) is an additional merit. 

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

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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.

Eckardt Treuter group https://ki.se/en/people/eckardt-treuter

https://ki.se/en/medh

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