Doctoral (PhD) student position in somatic mutations in the vascular wall and its functional implications - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in several areas of medical science including aging, Alzheimer, bioorganic chemistry, biomaterial, molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, immunology, and nutrition. It offers an excellent international research and working environment, including around 250 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel. The Department resides in Neo at Campus Flemingsberg, a biomedical research building, aimed at being a creative and open environment that enables meetings, synergies, and exploration of areas of mutual interest across disciplines.

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

During aging, tissue function and regenerative capacity progressively diminish, which alter our physical fitness and general health. Genomic instability is a hallmark of aging and accumulation of somatic mutations is one of the molecular mechanisms that has been linked to it. But somatic mutations in normal tissues have been difficult to study in the past due to technical limitations. Recent progress in high-throughput sequencing technologies has allowed us (Franco et al., Nat. Commun. 2018 and Genome Biol. 2019) and others to provide large sets of quantitative data on somatic mutations in vivo. However, an outstanding critical question remains in the field as to whether the accumulation of somatic mutations contributes to aging and age-related disease, including cardio-vascular disease. The research group of professor Maria Eriksson use modern genomic technologies, including single-cell RNA sequencing and in vivo lineage tracing, to try to answer disease-relevant fundamental questions in vascular biology. We collaborate closely with clinical researchers to be able to validate our findings for its translational potential.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Our hypothesis is that somatic mutations in the vascular wall functionally contribute to age-associated cardiovascular disease. In the project we will map somatic mutations in the human arterial wall and elucidate the relevance of the resulting somatic mosaicism for age-related cardiovascular disease using mice models. The student will participate in all the different parts of the research from planning to experimentation and analysis, and the writing of manuscripts. The student is expected to be part of the group and to develop in accordance with the common goals and research interests. The student should be highly motivated, responsible and able to function very well in the group.

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 person we are looking for must have a university degree in molecular biology, biomedicine, or similar, good collaboration skills and a strong research interest and motivation. Certified course in handling of laboratory animals is advantageous but not mandatory.

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/node/1695

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