Doctoral (PhD) student position in Pharmacological Nitric Oxide Research - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The research group

At the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Jon Lundberg is Professor of Nitric Oxide Pharmacologics and Mattias Carlström is Professor of Cardiorenal Physiology. These two research group leaders are jointly studying the role and regulation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in the cardiovascular system in health and disease. Much attention of their research is focused on the therapeutic potential of novel dietary and pharmacological strategies that may dampen oxidative stress and restore nitric oxide bioavailability in cardiometabolic disorders. One such approach is dietary supplementation with inorganic nitrate (found in high levels in many vegetables), which, with the help of oral commensal bacteria, can increase the formation of nitric oxide through the reduction of nitrate and nitrite. Moreover, accumulating research during the last two decades have emphasized an important role of disturbed oral and/or gut microbiota in the development and progression of several disorders including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and renal disease.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In this project, the PhD student will further explore the role and regulation of nitric oxide in cardiometabolic disease, how this is influenced by commensal bacteria, and investigate new therapeutic strategies that target these systems.

The project is at the forefront of research on the role and regulation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in cardiometabolic disease. The research studies will investigate potential therapeutic actions of inorganic nitrate and nitrite as well as other bioactive nitrogen species, and how these may interact/influence our microbiota in health and disease. The PhD student will have access to a broad and comprehensive experimental platform and experience a translational research approach. This PhD project will provide the student with knowledge in physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology, and deep understanding in experimental in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro techniques together with knowledge on how to plan, design, conduct and evaluate both preclinical and clinical studies, which will be of great value for future career in academia and/or pharma industry.

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 you who have a genuine interest for science and translational research in the cardiometabolic field. Previous experience from translational studies and hands on knowledge regarding the performance of in vivo functional characterization of cardiovascular and metabolic functions, as well as experience from relevant ex vivo and in vitro studies are merits of great importance. Examples of such techniques include in vivo blood pressure monitoring (tail-cuff and telemetry systems) and metabolic studies (glucose and insulin tolerance tests, body composition analysis) and ex vivo studies of isolated heart (Langendorff system) and isolated vessels (myograph system), as well as in vitro cell culture studies. Previous experience regarding studies on microbiota, biochemistry analysis of nitric oxide and oxidative stress, inflammation, histology, immunohistochemistry is desirable but not mandatory. Finally, you must be a person who likes to work in teams and who communicates very well in English.

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.

Your career continues here, please see links below for the supervisors KI-webpages:

Jon Lundberg https://staff.ki.se/people/jon-lundberg

Mattias Carlström https://staff.ki.se/people/mattias-carlstrom

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