Doctoral Student in Studies of Metabolism and Differentiation in Childhood Tumors with focus on Neuroblastoma

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 Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. MTC have about 40 research groups and our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.

The research group

The research program in the Arsenian-Henriksson Lad is focused on understating the biological and therapeutic aspects of cancer including childhood tumors such as neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and synovial sarcoma as well as the adult tumors clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and cervical cancer. One research theme is focused on understating the development and cell of origin of neuroblastoma using induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs) models. Thus, the advertised position is indented to recruit doctoral student who will work on neuroblastoma modeling using hiPSCs, which will include experiments to be carried on human cancer cell lines, hiPSCs, and models of neuroblastoma.

The Arsenian-Henriksson’s Lab is in Biomedicum located close to the Karolinska Hospital and maintains close partnerships with bioinformatic/computational as well as experimental units at KI, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab). In addition, the Lab has strong scientific collaboration with national and international research groups. Regular on-site courses and training workshops are offered, complemented by opportunities for further professional development via summer schools, research visits, and conferences.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

One research theme is focused on understating the development and cell of origin of neuroblastoma using induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs) models. Thus, the advertised position is indented to recruit doctoral student who will work on neuroblastoma modeling using hiPSCs, which will include experiments to be carried on human cancer cell lines, hiPSCs, and models of neuroblastoma.

The PhD student will have the gain hands-on experience in stem cell and cancer biology. The student will part of a very dynamic research group with documented experience in many aspects of tumor biology, drug discovery and screening, and utilization of mutli-omic approaches. The student will also enroll in relevant PhD courses at KI, actively participate in MTC's research, seminars, educational initiatives, as well as national and international conferences.

Your mission

We are looking for a motivated and committed student who would like to pursue doctoral studies in the field of pediatric tumor biology. The employment will focus on using hiPSCs to model neuroblastoma development. Duties include planning experiments, performing laboratory work including cultivation of human cell lines, hiPSCs, gene expression analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, protein-protein interactions, confocal microscopy, metabolic differentiation studies, single cell transcription analysis, as well as work using relevant models of neuroblastoma. In addition, the doctoral student is expected to participate in other ongoing projects within the Lab and contribute to the collaborative nature of the Lab, presenting data, learn to write scientific articles and grant applications, aid in Bachelor and Master student supervision, as well as help in maintaining general workflow in the lab.

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 PhD student with interest and experience in cancer and stem cell biology. This should be a highly motivated student in the field of stem cell and tumor biology to complement and expand ongoing research themes. Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability, in particular the ability to work independently and take responsibility as well as work in a group by being responsive and spreading creativity and positive energy.

In addition to the aforementioned requirements for the position

• Prior experience in handling, culturing, and differentiation of human stem cells, human primary cells, and human cancer cell lines
• Hands-on experience in basic molecular biology techniques (subcloning, protein expression, protein purification, PCR, Western blot, etc.)
• Prior experience in flow cytometry, cell sorting, and immunofluorescence

Meritorius for the position

• Prior experience in BSL3 laboratories
• Prior experience in zebrafish and mouse work
• Prior experience in bioinformatic work

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.

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