Doctoral student position in T cell therapies and cell engineerning

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The Nyberg lab is a newly formed research group at the Karolinska Institute. The overall aim of the Nyberg lab is to develop and use cutting-edge technologies for genetical engineering to enhance T cell therapies of cancer. As part of the Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine (HERM), the lab is part of a collaborative environment of excellent translational research groups. 

We are looking for a doctoral student in T cell therapies and synthetic immunology to join the Nyberg lab and to contribute to the positive environment in the lab. 

Your mission

The use of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) in T cells has transformed the field of cell therapies for cancers. We have developed cutting-edge technologies to generate precisely engineered CAR-T cells using gene targeting, and new types of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) that allow for T cell specific genetic manipulations. The current goal of the lab is to use these technologies to maximize the potential of CAR-T cell therapies. The outlined project aims to develop strategies for efficient use of CAR-T cells in solid tumor cancers. This project will use pooled screens to identify synthetic receptors that improve CAR-T cell fitness in solid tumor mouse models. You will be expected to design, synthesize and clone large cDNA libraries for CRISPR/Cas9-based screens. You are also expected to produce virus at large scale for both in vivo and in vitro experiments and to conduct large-scale studies in mouse models.

Your profile

The candidate should have strong interest in immunology and gene engineering and have a master’s degree or equivalent. Experience with primary T cell culture and basic molecular biology tools, such as PCR and cloning, is a requirement. Furtermore, basic experiences in flow cytometry analysis and cell engineering using viral vectors are requirements. Additionally, it is meritorious if the candidate has experiences processing mouse tissue for downstream analysis as well as a basic understanding of CAR-T cell biology and cell engineering.

It is expected that the candidate contributes to a collaborative environment in the lab and has the ability to meet deadlines and work independently. Good knowledge in English, written and spoken, is a requirement.

In addition to the eligibility criteria, the applicant should demonstrate:

• Background and knowledge in immunology and molecular immunology.
• Experience with and basic molecular biology tools, such as PCR and cloning.
• Experiences working with cell cultures from mouse or human cells.
• Comfortable with flow cytometry and cell sorting.
• Excellent communication skills and organization skills.
• Excellent English oral communication, and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. 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. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

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.

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)

Welcome to apply at the latest 7 January 2025.

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.

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why | Karolinska Institutet
Precision engineering of T cells in vivo for therapies of cancer – William Nyberg team | Karolinska Institutet

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