Doctoral (PhD) student position in intestinal regeneration in IBD - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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 position is placed within the SGC-KI research team headed by Michael Sundström (Scientific Director); organized within the group of Professor Per-Johan Jakobsson, Division of Rheumatology, in close collaboration with Professor Eduardo Villablanca (main supervisor), Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine Solna. The Department of Medicine Solna is since March 2015 one of the partners of the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC, www.thesgc.org) and its Innovative Medicines Initiative (EU) projects which in part focus on the discovery and evaluation of novel targets in inflammatory diseases (ULTRA-DD 2015-2020 and EUbOPEN 2020-2025, www.eubopen.org).

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Adult intestinal stem cells (ISC) supported by the stem cell niche are responsible for the efficient and constant regeneration of the intestinal epithelium throughout life. Breakdown in ISC-mediated tissue homeostasis may lead to intestinal disorders associated with uncontrolled or deficient ISC proliferation, as in colorectal cancer (CRC) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD is increasingly being considered a disease with diminished regenerative potential and finding new approaches to boost intestinal regeneration is actively pursued to discover novel therapies. To this end, the PhD candidate will pursue the following aims: 1) Evaluate the translational potential of oxysterol-LXR axis in promoting intestinal regeneration using organoids established from human IBD patients. 2) Investigate the function and translational potential of GPR149 in intestinal regeneration using mice models and human organoids. 3) Identification of druggable genes/pathways that promotes intestinal regeneration using human organoid based automated screening assays.

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 candidate should be experienced in human and/or mouse intestinal organoid cultures including co-cultures with different non-epithelial cells, automated image-based screening using mantis liquid handler and incucyte, and image analysis (e.g. OrganoSeg, Imaris and Fiji), qPCR and RNAseq, as well as basic cell culture and standard molecular biology techniques.  Additional emphasis will be placed on personal suitability. The candidate should be highly self-motivated and with the ability to work productively in a team as well as independently. The candidate must have excellent organizational skills and be fluent in written and spoken English. The ideal candidate has previous experience in immunology research, and experience with some of the above-mentioned experimental techniques. Personal skills are highly evaluated.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

--[Video about Karolinska Institutet, how we all work towards "a better health for all"] -

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.

Location

The employment will be at the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. This position is located within the research group of Professor Per-Johan Jakobsson, Division of Rheumatology, in the SGC-KI research team headed by Michael Sundström (Scientific Director); in close collaboration with Professor Eduardo Villablanca, Division of Immunology and Allergy.

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