Doctoral (PhD) student position in characterization of Mycobacteria toxin-antitoxin systems as phage defense and antimicrobial agents - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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

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 Fossati lab (https://fossatilab.app) investigates bacterial immune systems composition and mechanism by employing a combination of bulk NGS technologies and high-throughput interaction proteomics approaches (Fossati et al. 2023, Nat Com) as well as developing computational solutions to analyze next-generation interaction proteomics datasets using machine learning (Fossati et al. 2021, Nat Methods) and deep learning (Frommelt, Fossati et al, BiorVix 2023).

Our lab maintains close partnerships with computational and experimental units at KI, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), as well as national and international research groups. Regular on-site courses are offered, complemented by opportunities for further professional development via summer schools and ongoing workshops.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The research group of Dr Andrea Fossati seeks a doctoral student in the field of bacterial antiphage systems.

The student will have the gain hands-on experience in mass-spectrometry based proteomics, functional and comparative genomics as well as computational systems biology. They will also enroll in relevant PhD courses at KI, actively participate in MTC's research, seminars, and educational initiatives.

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.

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

In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the applicant must have:

• Prior experience in bacteriophage infection and isolation
• Knowledge of bacterial culture
• Hands-on experience in basic molecular biology techniques (cloning, protein expression, protein purification, PCR, Western blot, etc)

Meritorius for the position:

• Prior experience in multi-protein bacterial antiphage systems (i.e Argonaute, Gabja, Hachiman, etc)
• Preparative and analytical PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, OE-PCR, Gibson assembly, restriction- ligation, RPA
• NGS data analysis
• Working knowledge of Python/R
• Basic Unix

We are looking for a PhD student with interest and experience in Phage biology to work on toxin-antitoxin systems in pathogenic Mycobacteria using proteomics and functional genomics.

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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