PhD student position in “Molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease at the single cell level” - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We invite applications for a PhD student position to be placed in the laboratory of Professor Ernest Arenas (http://ernestarenaslab.org/) at the Division of Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB).

For more information regarding doctoral (PhD) education, see: http://www.ki.se/doctoral

The research group

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its vision is to significantly contribute to the improvement of human health. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.

The MBB department consists of 12 research divisions and about 350 employees. We conduct multidisciplinary research in multiple areas and education in Medicine and Biomedicine.

The Arenas laboratory focuses on understanding the entire life span of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, from development to neurodegeneration, and at devising new therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease.

The Arenas Lab is integrated in the Division of Molecular Neurobiology, a highly interactive, young, vibrant and very international research environment formed by eight research groups and about 100 people. English is our common language and it is used in all our activities. Our division provides a unique critical mass contributed by researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise in multiple areas covering advanced genetics, cellular and molecular biology, high content single cell technologies, epigenetics, bioinformatics, imaging, biochemistry, multiple aspects of neuroscience, behavior, electrophysiology, developmental neurobiology, cellular reprogramming and stem cell biology. 

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The project will require capacity to work independently, but also in a collaborative manner. The student will have the opportunity to participate in training courses and perform research activities abroad (Italy, Spain and Germany), will take PhD courses on the topic of the PhD project at KI, will participate in the research, seminars and educational activities of MBB, and will contribute to report the results of the ASAP project and to disseminate the results.

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 computational Biology and Biotechnology to work in the analysis of human control and Parkinson’s disease (PD) postmortem samples as well as a transgenic model of PD. The student will develop a project involving performing single cell experiments and computational analysis.

Main requirements:

• Master degree in Bioinformatics.
• Less than 4 years of full-time research experience.
• Proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.

For more information regarding the general entry requirements, please see: https://ki.se/en/phd/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education

Specific requirements:

• The ideal candidate should have Python and R programming skills, experience in single cell biology, Fluorescent activated cell/nuclei sorting and knowledge in the areas of midbrain development and/or Parkinson’s disease.
• Strong motivation and capacity to pursue challenging research. The optimal candidate will be creative, critical, independent, open to new ideas, flexible, engaged, methodic and goal oriented.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Availability to travel nationally and internationally.

Desirable:

• Previous training in a multidisciplinary international environment or outside of the country of origin or in a high profile lab.

Terms and conditions

The student will be supported by an ASAP grant and an ERC grant. 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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