PhD student in Exercise Oncology - 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

A PhD student position is now available at the Division of Clinical Physiology in the Rundqvist Lab. The focus of the group is to understand how exercise can contribute to reduced symptoms and a more favorable prognosis for patients with cancer. The student will have access to state of the art human exercise facilities, animal models and pre-clinical labs in a creative and translational environment at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet. The supervisor team combines expertise in tumor immunology and exercise interventions with medical expertise in clinical physiology and oncology.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In Europe alone, more that 400 000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer yearly. Maintaining a physically active lifestyle after a breast cancer diagnosis is associated with a reduced risk of recurrence and improved cancer specific survival. Exercise induced shifts in immune function has been suggested as a potential mechanism for the beneficial effects and in a recent publication, we showed that the immune system, and especially CD8+ T-cells, are instrumental for the anti-neoplastic effects of exercise. The current project builds on these findings.

The project is translational and will comprise exercise interventions in animal models, healthy human subjects and primary and metastatic breast cancer patients. Specifically, the focus of the project will be on understanding how exercise induced changes in immune function, including mobilization during exercise and subsequent homing to distant tissues, contributes to disease progression and therapeutic response.

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 are looking for a candidate with a biomedical or equivalent background. Previous experience with human physiological assessments, murine cancer models, multi-color flow cytometry and functional characterization of immune cells is considered a merit. A keen interest in translational science and the ability to interact effectively and work productively in an interprofessional team as well as a good ability to communicate in English is required. Emphasis will be placed on personal skills, knowledge, and abilities, as well as on documented previous work.

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.

Division of Clinical Physiology

Rundqvist Research  

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