Doctoral (PhD) student position in High throughput selection of DNA structures for targeted cell delivery

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

Erik Benson’s research group is looking for a Doctoral student to work in based at Scilifelab campus Solna. The group focuses on using DNA nanotechnology to develop libraries of DNA structures with large diversity. We use these structures to perform selection experiments combined with sequencing to find the structures with the best properties. The goal is to develop alternatives to antibodies and to understand what factors control the specific cell uptake of DNA. As a member of the group, you become a part of the Scilifelab community and the unit for microbiology-bacteriology at the Karolinska Institute.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In the last decades it’s been shown that nucleic acid therapeutics, can knock in/out, silence/promote or edit genes, offering unique routes to cures for a diverse set of diseases, but they need to be delivered to the right cells to have correct effect. DNA nanostructures are a natural choice as they can directly hybridize with the therapeutic molecules and change their geometry, link them to targeting moieties, and protect them by coatings.

We have developed a system for evolutionarily selecting DNA structures that are preferentially taken up by certain cells. In this research project the student will work to design DNA nanostructure libraries and perform selection against cell models. The selection process will be monitored by high throughput sequencing paired with custom bioinformatics and high throughput structure prediction tools. Promising candidate structures will then be produced individually and screened by microscopy and in vitro gene silencing assays to validate effective cell delivery.

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 creative, self-driven candidate who is interested in developing new methods in life-science. The candidate should be comfortable working both in a wet-lab and using computational tools to analyze data and draw conclusions.

Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Bioengineering, Physics, Chemical engineering or a related field (or equivalent upon starting the position)
• Experience in a biochemistry wet-lab setting
• Experience with cell culture work
• Able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills
• Well-organized
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)

Preferred qualifications (Meritorious):

• Experience with DNA sequence design
• Experience with high troughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis
• Experience with Fluorescence microscopy 
• Competency in computational analysis (preferably python)

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://bensonlab.se/

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