Doctoral student position (PhD) in Virology and 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 Sheward Research Group uses state-of-the-art mRNA delivery to develop and characterize next-generation vaccines that could protect against highly variable viruses like HIV and Influenza, or prevent the next pandemic. The laboratory is based in the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet Biomedicum.

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. MTC have about 40 research groups and our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In this project, the doctoral student will produce experimental mRNA vaccines and evaluate them in mouse models.  A major research focus will be on the immune response to vaccine “cocktails” that deliver multiple strains either together or sequentially.  Additionally, the student will characterize mechanisms of translational enhancement by different viruses, and work on adapting these to improve mRNA delivery for vaccines and therapeutics.

The student will be expected to be self-motivated and drive the aims of the project forward, performing the experiments, analyzing and synthesizing the results, and presenting the findings. Eventually, the student will be expected to take a leading role in the design of new experiments and the writing of scientific manuscripts.

The student will also be expected to participate in the general duties of the team, including supporting and teaching other team members.

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

In addition to the above requirements for the position:

• Master´s degree in immunology, infection biology, biotechnology, or similar field
• FELASA certificate and previous experience with animal handling
• Previous experience with BCR sequencing and monoclonal antibody isolation, production and purification
• Prior experience with ELISA, Flow cytometry, mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, and molecular cloning techniques
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international environment
• Fluent in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills 

Meritorious for the position:

• Previous work with mRNA and/or lipid nanoparticles

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.

https://ki.se/mtc/forskning/mtc-forskare-a-o/sheward-group

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