Doctoral (PhD) student position in the project “Senescence-Immune system crosstalk in aging and cancer”

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

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.

Come and join us at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm. In the research group led by Federico Pietrocola, we are particularly interested in understanding the relationship between cellular stress responses and host immunity in the context of neoplastic transformation and age-associated diseases, with the aim to develop novel therapeutic approaches to extend human healthspan. 

The research group

The Pietrocola Lab: Drawing from our expertise in the areas of molecular aging, cellular biology, and immunology, we are particularly interested in disentangling the bases of senescent cell immunosurveillance in the context of cancer therapy and age-associated phenotypes. We use state-of-the-art approaches to interrogate the crosstalk between senescent cells and host immunity in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, natural aging, and tissue damage.

We recently discovered that senescent cells display a strong immunogenic profile sufficient to elicit potent CD8 T cell-dependent immune responses. In spite of this observation, immunosuppressive senescent cell variants acquire the capacity to evade host immunity, contributing to tumor formation/relapse, systemic inflammation, and aging via the expression of Senescence Associated Immune Checkpoints (SAICs). Furthermore, the induction of senescence in the immune compartment accounts for the paracrine spreading of senescence to neighboring and distal cells, taking part in the establishment of a frail phenotype. The successful candidate will play a leading role in a full-time research project aimed at assessing the impact of pharmacological SAIC targeting and strategies aimed at reducing immune senescence to improve anticancer immune response and limit systemic hallmarks of organismal aging.

We are a young and dynamic research team with a well-established collaborative network. Our lab is located at Biomedicum, a top modern research building with a large repertoire of researchers and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. The candidate will greatly benefit from this interdisciplinary environment and immersion in a highly stimulating and supportive research community.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In this project, the student will focus on the role of cellular senescence, which plays a central role in cancer and aging. The lab is currently elucidating the mechanisms that enable senescent cells to avoid the elimination by the host immune system, and thereby lead to their accumulation in tissues. The student will use cutting-edge genomics and molecular techniques, and a variety of animal models of cancer and natural/accelerated aging to develop innovative immunotherapy approaches to eliminate senescent cells, improve anticancer therapies and promote healthy lifespan.

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

Experience with mammalian cell culture, animal models (mouse, documented by FELASA certification), cellular and molecular biology methods are mandatory entry requirements. Precedent knowledge in senescence and immunology – although not required – will be regarded as an advantage. We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic, and ambitious PhD student. Compulsory qualities to be admitted as PhD student are motivation, willingness to progress toward independency, capacity to work in a team.

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.

Links

- https://ki.se/en/research/research-areas-centres-and-networks/research-groups/cellular-stress-in-health-and-disease-federico-pietrocolas-group

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all