Doctoral (PhD) student position in bacteriology and vaccines

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 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 research group

We search for a PhD student that together with Professor Birgitta Henriques Normark. Her research group and her collaborators will work on projects in bacteriology and respiratory tract infections with a focus on pneumococcal and streptococcal infections and development of vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies infectious diseases as one of the greatest global health threats. Respiratory tract infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Pneumococci are major causes of milder respiratory tract infections, but also of more severe infections such as pneumonia without or with septicemia and meningitis. Group A streptococci are major causes of tonsillitis, and skin infections, but also of more severe diseases such as septicemia, necrotizing fasciitis, and toxic shock syndrome. There is also a risk for sequelae including rheumatic heart disease. The research group focuses on pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions with a major interest in pneumococcal and streptococcal infections.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral student will study bacterial pathogenesis and be focused on developing vaccines against pneumococcal and streptococcal infections. The composition, biogenesis, production, and immunogenicity of streptococcal membrane vesicles and their potential as a vaccine will be studied. Vaccine production and vaccine candidates will be evaluated regarding immunological responses, and molecular microbiology technologies will be employed using in vitro cell and in vivo models. The PhD student will acquire knowledge in infection biology, vaccines, host-pathogen interactions, immunology, and will develop technical expertise in state-of-the art methods such as molecular genetics, microbiology, cell culture, animal work, bioinformatics, microscopy, and industrial biotechnology. He/she will also get skills in how to analyze, synthesize and critically assess scientific work, and how to formulate research questions and identify knowledge gaps.

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

Requirements for the position:

•  Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work in teams are essential.

Meritorious for the position:

• Previous experience in bacteriology and immunological responses especially on pneumococcal infections and vaccine development, is an advantage.
• Documented experience in relevant research areas will be prioritized, especially previous experiences of molecular techniques and medical molecular biology, pneumococcal expertise, and using in vitro and in vivo infection mouse model systems.
• Previous experience and finalized course in laboratory animal science is an advantage.
• Experience with international collaborations, is an advantage in addition to social skills, creative thinking, and language skills, especially in English and Swedish.

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/research/research-areas-centres-and-networks/research-groups/the-birgitta-henriques-normark-laboratory

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