PhD position in thymic derived anti-cancer immunity

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 research group

The research group works at the interface of immunology, regenerative biology, and cancer research, with a focus on thymus biology, immune regeneration, and T-cell development. Our research aims to understand how the thymus recovers after injury, how new T cells are generated and exported to the periphery, and how these processes can be harnessed to improve immunity in patients with cancer, treatment-induced immune deficiency, and age-related immune decline.

The group combines mechanistic studies in experimental models with translational analyses of human samples. We use a broad range of approaches including flow cytometry, molecular and cellular immunology, mouse models, functional immune assays, and single-cell and spatial multi-omics. The environment is international, collaborative, and ambitious, and provides strong opportunities for scientific development and advanced training.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This doctoral project focuses on immune regeneration and the production of new T cells in the context of cancer and tissue injury. In particular, the project will investigate how thymic regeneration shapes the quantity and quality of newly generated T cells, including recent thymic emigrants, and how these cells contribute to anti-tumor immunity.

The doctoral student will study mechanisms of T-cell egress and their immune function using experimental models of thymic injury, regeneration, and cancer. The work will involve immunophenotyping, functional assays, molecular analyses, and may also include the analysis of human samples and high-dimensional datasets such as single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data.

The doctoral student is expected to:

• plan, perform, and analyze experiments independently and in collaboration with other group members
• interpret and present scientific data at group meetings and research seminars
• contribute to manuscript writing and publication of results in peer-reviewed journals
• participate in courses and other activities within the doctoral education program
• help maintain a collaborative and rigorous research environment
• Have fun and be excited about science

This project is suitable for candidates who are motivated by combining fundamental immunology with translational questions relevant to cancer, immune deficiency, and regenerative medicine.

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 an ambitious and highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in immunology, cancer, and regenerative medicine. The ideal applicant should have a solid experimental background, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of an interactive research team.

Required qualifications:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in immunology, biomedicine, molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, or a related discipline
• Practical experience in experimental laboratory-based biomedical research
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to plan, execute, and interpret experiments in a rigorous and organized manner
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary and international environment

Meritorious qualifications:

• Experience in immunology, T-cell biology, thymus biology, cancer biology, or regenerative biology
• Experience with flow cytometry, mouse models, and functional immune assays
• Experience with molecular profiling approaches and analysis of complex datasets, for example single-cell data, or experience using R and or Python
• Previous involvement in scientific writing or publication
• International research experience or experience working in an international research environment

Personal suitability is of great importance. We value curiosity, scientific rigor, independence, initiative, and a strong commitment to research excellence.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

Location: Solna or Flemingsberg

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: Lemarquis Lab

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