PhD position in mechanisms of CNS regeneration

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 Göritz laboratory offers a stimulating, international research environment. We are part of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at Karolinska Institutet, one of the world’s leading medical universities. The lab is located at Biomedicum, a state-of-the-art research facility at the Solna campus in Stockholm, Sweden.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The Göritz laboratory investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate regeneration and repair in the adult central nervous system (CNS), with a particular focus on spinal cord injury and other CNS lesions. Our work has identified fibrotic scarring as a key barrier to axonal regeneration and functional recovery, and has revealed perivascular fibroblast-lineage cells as central drivers of this process. By defining how stromal, immune, vascular, and neural components interact after injury, we aim to uncover principles that enable or restrict CNS regeneration.

The advertised PhD project will focus on identifying mechanisms that control tissue remodeling after CNS injury. The project will combine genetic mouse models with injury models, cutting-edge spatial single cell expression profiling, and targeted pathway manipulation. The overall goal is to define cellular interactions and molecular pathways that can be harnessed to promote regeneration and repair in the injured CNS, with relevance for translational strategies in human disease.

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 seeking a highly motivated and independent PhD student with a strong interest in CNS regeneration and repair. The doctoral student will plan and perform experimental studies, analyze and interpret data, present results, and contribute to manuscript preparation in an interactive and collaborative research environment.

Qualifications

We are looking for ambitious and driven candidates with a solid background in biomedicine, biochemistry, biology, medicine or a related field, and a strong interest in neuroscience and regenerative medicine. Applicants must have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent experimental work or smaller research projects, and must be fluent in spoken and written English.

Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered a merit:

• Transgenic mouse models
• CNS injury or disease models
• Imaging and histological techniques
• Single-cell or spatial transcriptomics
• Bioinformatics or quantitative data analysis

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.

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