Doctoral (PhD) student position in cancer immunotherapy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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.

The research group

Assistant Professor Dr. Mattias Carlsten M.D. Ph.D. is heading a translational research group at the Karolinska Institute (KI) with close connection to the Cell Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation unit at the Karolinska University Hospital. The group is located at HERM, Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH), KI. The main research focus of Dr. Carlsten’s group is to study how NK cells and T cells can be utilized to treat cancer (Childs et al. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2015, Björklund, Carlsten, Sohlberg et al. Clin. Can. Research 2018, Levy et al. Frontiers in Imm. 2019, Leijonhufvud et al. Clin & Trans Imm 2021). More specifically, the group focuses its work around basic biology as well as genetic engineering of NK cell and T cells to redirect their homing and target specificity with the overall aim of applying new discoveries in settings of cellular cancer immunotherapy. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Carlsten’s work bridges pre-clinical in vitro studies, from molecular and cellular biology to animal models, and early clinical trials involving cellular cancer immunotherapy. As part of the overall goal, the group will now also start to address how genetic engineering of NK cells can be utilized to improve their persistence after adoptive transfer and thereby augment their anti-tumor targeting capacity. This will be done in close collaboration with Prof. Yenan T. Bryceson at HERM, KI, and Dr. Suman Mitra at University of Lille, France.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

A key factor that has limited the success of NK cell-based protocols for the treatment of cancer is the inability of the infused cells to persist. This project will attempt to generate long-lasting NK cells and address if they can be used to promote better and more durable anti-tumor responses. Genetic engineering of NK cells via transfection and transduction will primarily be used to generate these NK cells, while gene expression arrays and CRISPR-Cas9-based methods will also be used to identify and confirm key genes involved in forming and/or controlling NK cell persistence. As part of the project, the student will address the role of transcription factors to generate memory-like NK cells. As a parallel route, the student will work with synthetic molecules to promote NK cell persistence, alone or in combination with receptors that redirect the NK cell specificity towards tumor cells. NK cell survival after adoptive transfer and the impact of sustained in vivo persistence of the NK cells in controlling tumor growth will be addressed in animal models. Designing and cloning of DNA constructs will be a central part of the project. The project will also involve an array of other cellular and molecular biology techniques and assays along with advanced methods of analysis. The position provides an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to apply and develop cutting-edge technology and excel in the space between bench work, animal work and clinical studies with the overall aim of establishing new concepts to improve the therapeutic efficacy of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy. As the supervisor constellation and their respective groups have complementary expertise and insights stretching from transcriptional programs of NK cells via genetic engineering, cytokine signaling and animal models to clinical practice and early phase clinical trials, the student will have the chance to learn and get support along the research spectra from bench to bedside. The supervisors expect a dedicated student with a burning interest in gaining new insights into how immune cells can be manipulated and utilized for enhanced therapeutic features. To succeed with this prospective experiment-based PhD project, the student will be required to work actively in the laboratory in addition to data analysis, manuscript writing, and attending seminars, group meetings and the mandatory doctoral training courses.

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 talented and enthusiastic individual who holds a Master degree and has a solid background in immunology, cell signaling and genetic engineering of cells. Extensive experience in cloning and genetic manipulations of lymphocytes (preferably NK cells but also T cells) will be considered a merit. Experience in running immunology assays and conducting cell culture work, including the isolation and expansion of primary human lymphocytes, will also be considered merits. State-of-the-art knowledge and hands-on experience in multiparameter flow cytometry and subsequent analysis together with mastering Western Blot and PCR-based methods are requirements. Insights and understanding of clinical protocols for cellular therapy of cancer is strongly preferable. A strong track record, including publications is a plus.

The successful candidate should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, organizational skills, and the ability to work productively and dynamically in a team while actively interacting with several research groups. Self-motivation and the ability to stay on top of the relevant research field is an absolute requirement. Applicants must be able to integrate well into the international and multidisciplinary research environment. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is a requirement.

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.

Mattias Carlsten group

Yenan Bryceson group

Hematology Unit/HERM

The department of Medicine in Huddinge

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