PhD position in pediatric oncology with a focus on immunity and infection

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

Professor Anna Nilsson, research group leader, is an expert in pediatric oncology and works both as a professor and a clinical pediatric oncologist. She leads her research group at the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Pediatric Surgery. Her research focuses on addressing clinical issues related to infections and immunosuppression in children with cancer, with the aim of improving the health of this vulnerable patient group. The research group has established collaborations within Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, as well as with other leading universities in Sweden.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The current project focuses on adaptive immunity in children with cancer, which is known to be affected during treatment. This impacts the immune system's ability to fight infections as well as the response to vaccines. We have identified several knowledge gaps that will be addressed in this PhD project:

• Can we identify biomarkers that predict an effective antibody response in children undergoing cancer treatment, and that can indicate when children should be re-vaccinated after treatment?
• Does intensive chemotherapy cause long-term damage to the B-cell antibody repertoire in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
• How should B-cell function be assessed in children who have survived cancer? When should children be re-vaccinated after chemotherapy?

The PhD student is expected, under supervision, to plan, perform, analyze, and summarize the results of experiments aimed at answering these questions. The work will be carried out at Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, where the student will have both office and laboratory space. The PhD student is also expected to stay up to date with the literature, present articles at group meetings, and participate in the department's seminar series. During the PhD period, the student is expected to present their own data at national and international conferences.

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 motivated PhD candidate with a strong interest in gaining a deeper understanding of translational research in pediatric cancer, with a focus on infections and immunology. Prior research experience is preferred, particularly involving sterile techniques in cell culture and stimulation of both T- and B-cells.The ideal candidate will have documented experience with common immunological analysis methods, such as flow cytometry, EliSpot/Fluorospot, and ELISA. Experience with PCR, including RNA extraction, RNA-seq, as well as NGS and handling large datasets using sequencing software (such as Qlucore, SeqMonk, and GSEA analysis) is particularly valuable.

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential for effective communication with lab colleagues. Prior experience in academic writing is also a requirement.

We place great value on your personal qualities, particularly your ability to work well in a team and collaborate effectively. You should be detail-oriented and capable of working independently. Experience in a preclinical lab environment is highly desirable, as you will be expected to perform practical lab work and conduct your own experiments and analyses. Familiarity with analysis tools such as FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, and Adobe Illustrator is an advantage.

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.

https://ki.se/en/people/anna-nilsson-1#outreach

https://ki.se/kbh/barnonkologi-och-barnkirurgi#tab-start

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