Doctoral Student in Infection Immunology

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 student will join the Systems Virology Laboratory, part of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huddinge. The division is at the forefront of multidisciplinary infectious disease research, with a strong emphasis on translational science aimed at developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The Systems Virology Laboratory specializes in understanding host-pathogen interactions through the integration of advanced multi-omics technologies, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, with state-of-the-art experimental analysis. The group focuses particularly on the innate immune system’s role in shaping disease outcomes in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, primarily caused by RNA viruses, in pediatric and adult populations. The lab offers a dynamic, collaborative environment with strong ties to clinical cohorts and international research networks.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral student will be engaged in the COMBAT project, which aims to unravel the mechanisms driving severe outcomes in dengue infections through advanced metabolic and immune profiling of host-pathogen interactions. The student will perform integrative multi-omics analyses (including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) on ex vivo dengue infection models to characterize host immune responses. Additionally, the student will work with organoids to investigate neuroimmunometabolic alterations induced by dengue virus, employing high-resolution imaging and spatial transcriptomics. The doctoral student is expected to plan and conduct experiments (wet lab), analyze and interpret complex datasets (in collaboration with the senior bioinformatician in the group), present findings at scientific meetings, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals. The position involves close collaboration with national and international partners, offering a multidisciplinary training environment that integrates systems immunology, neurobiology, and infectious disease research. The student will also participate in relevant doctoral courses and contribute to departmental activities.

The doctoral student will develop deep expertise in experimental virology and integrative omics to understand the host immune response to dengue virus infection. S/he will gain hands-on experience with human immune cell models and organoid systems, including iPSC-derived microglia and macrophages, and work with all four DENV serotypes under controlled conditions. The student will be trained in multi-omics workflows such as bulk RNA-seq, proteomics, and metabolomics to interpret the complex dataset, and will learn to design and execute reproducible time-course experiments. They will also gain practical skills in generating and analyzing microglia-embedded brain organoids using spatial and single-cell omics technologies to investigate neuroimmune-metabolic changes during infection. Throughout the project, the student will build interdisciplinary competencies and develop the ability to interpret complex biological data in a translational research context.

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 responsible, well-organized, and highly motivated student to join a 4-year doctoral program. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in human immunology research and multicolor flow cytometry, including data analysis with FlowJo. Additional expertise in transcriptomics, microscopy, ELISA, assay development, and primary cell culture from human tissues is highly desirable. Experience with organoid models, functional T cell assays, live-cell imaging, and histological techniques such as immunofluorescence and tissue staining is a mandatory requirement. Fluency in English, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in an international, cross-disciplinary research environment are essential.

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 Microbiology

The Systems Virology Lab – Ujjwal Neogi

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