Doctoral (PhD) student position in Neurobiology of Stress and Treatment Response

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 Lopez laboratory, in the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet, investigates the molecular mechanisms, cellular circuits, and complex social behaviors, associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders and their treatments. We are looking for 1 PhD student interested in working in this area. The project involves the implementation of animal models of stress and anxiety and requires the analysis of multimodal high-throughput molecular and complex behavioral data, to deconstruct the underlying mechanisms responsible for antidepressant treatment response. 

The Lopez laboratory is part of the Department of Neuroscience, located in a new research building for Biomedical Research (Biomedicum), providing modern technological platforms and an open environment for interactions across departments and disciplines. The Department of Neuroscience is composed of outstanding scientists applying interdisciplinary approaches to cutting-edge problems in a collaborative and stimulating environment. We also work closely with the departments of Physiology & Pharmacology (FyFa), Clinical Neuroscience (CNS), and Medical Biochemistry & Biophysics (MBB), which provide additional expertise in pharmacology, in vitro models, relevant clinical cohorts, and the implementation of activity-based genetic labelling techniques. Applicants from different backgrounds (cultural, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic) are encouraged to apply

More information about the Lopez Laboratory can be found here: Lopez lab

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral student who is interested in studying the molecular mechanisms and behavioral correlates, associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders and their treatments. You will gain experience in the areas of molecular biology, functional genomics, pharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, and bioinformatics. You will perform experiments using novel automatic behavioral tracking systems, activity-dependent labelling techniques, and single-cell methods to identify the genes and brain circuits engaged during treatment response. You are expected to play a leading role in experimental design, execution of experiments, analysis of data, writing research findings, as well as presentation and publication of results. You will work with collaborating laboratories (locally and internationally) to learn and adapt new techniques, in case you do not have experience with a particular method. You will also have a chance to work closely and collaborate with the scientists who are pioneers in their fields.

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 applicant should hold a M.S. degree in a neuroscience-related field (biological or computational) with experience in one, or more, of the following areas: neurobiology, molecular biology, functional genomics, pharmacology, clinical/translational neuroscience, behavioral neuroscience, bioinformatics/computer science. Suitable candidates should have: (1) significant experience working with laboratory rodents (should possess FELASA-certified knowledge and skills), (2) practical experience with animal models of stress and anxiety, (3-4) experience in molecular biology and pharmacology. As a requirement, candidates most have (5) advanced computational skills and knowledge of “Python” or “R”. In addition, hands-on experience processing and working with (6-7) the analysis of next-generation sequencing technologies, such as bulk and single-cell RNA-Seq data (e.g., 10x Genomics), and (8) automatic behavioral tracking using pose estimation tools (e.g., DeepLabCut), is a plus. Furthermore, experienced candidates with (9) machine learning methods will be prioritized. The applicant needs to have a high degree of independence and motivation but should have no problems to work in a team given the collaborative nature of the project. Fluency in English (spoken and written) is a requirement. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in a stimulating and collaborative environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

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.

Neurobiology-of-stress-and-treatment-response-juan-pablo-lopez-group

Neuro/department-of-neuroscience

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