Doctoral (PhD) student position in paediatric allergology: Early-life lung function and skin barrier dysfunction as predictors of allergic asthma by school age

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

Björn Nordlund’s research group, PANDA, provides environment for doctoral education, supported by experienced personnel and comprehensive infrastructure. The clinical research group at Karolinska Institutet, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, includes postdocs and senior researchers, PhD students, and is embedded within a clinical collaborative network at both national and international levels. Research activities are based at KPE Lung and Allergy, QB:84, Karolinska University Hospital, in close collaboration with the Lung and Allergy Department at Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital.

The PreventADALL study unites leading clinical and basic research teams in allergy and respiratory medicine, offering access to state-of-the-art expertise in areas such as allergy prevention, lung function, immune development, environment, skin and gut microbiota, perinatal health, and nutrition. With over 45 original publications since 2018, the project has supported more than 18 PhD students, including 7 based in Stockholm, as well as multiple master’s theses. The research group has secure access to comprehensive data and biomaterials. All PreventaDALL research data is shared between Karolniska Institutet and University of Oslo in full compliance with GDPR.

The supervisors of this doctoral project are:

• Main supervisor Björn Nordlund is an Associate Professor in Paediatric Allergology at Karolinska Institutet and holds a combined clinical-academic position as Adjunct Senior Lecturer and Paediatric Nurse at Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital. He has extensive experience in both clinical and epidemiological paediatric research. B. Nordlund is the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Swedish arm of the PreventADALL study and serves as Thematic Leader for Allergy. His research focuses on paediatric asthma and allergy prevention, with a particular emphasis on early-life factors and digital health solutions for the development of preventive interventions.
• Co-supervisor Cilla Söderhäll is a Docent in Medical Genetics and University Lecturer at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, and a senior researcher with a long-standing focus on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of asthma and allergy. She is the principal investigator of genetics in PreventADALL. Her research integrates genetics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, and clinical phenotyping of childhood asthma and allergic diseases, often within large collaborative birth cohort studies such as PreventADALL.
• Co-supervisor Eva Maria Rehbinder is a medical doctor, dermatologist and Associate Professor at the Department of Dermatology, Oslo University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo. She has been actively engaged in both clinical and translational research, particularly within the fields of dermatology, allergy, and asthma. She serves as Co-Principal Investigator of the PreventADALL birth cohort study.
• Co-supervisor Håvard Ove Skjerven is a Professor and Medical Doctor (paediatrician) at Oslo University Hospital, and since 2024, Professor at the University of Oslo and leader of the research group (ORAACLE) and PreventADALL study in Oslo, Norway. His research focus on bronchiolitis, respiratory viruses, and prevention of allergic disease.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The PreventADALL study is a unique large-scale multicentre randomised controlled trial testing primary prevention in a general population-based mother-child birth cohort, combined with detailed bio sampling and assessment of potential mechanisms underlying the prevention.

The objective of this project is to evaluate whether lung function (tidal flow-volume loops) and skin barrier dysfunction from early infancy could predict the likelihood of allergic asthma by school age. The hypothesis is that allergic asthma development is more common among children who has lower lung function from birth as well as reduced skin barrier function, with a further increased risk by the presence in early life allergic sensitization and eosinophilic inflammation. All data is available for this project, the doctoral student will be responsible in analysing tidal flow-volume loops at 1 and 3 years of age, together with spirometry measurement at 7 years. Compile 4 manuscripts and take mandatory courses and defend the doctoral thesis after 4 years. 

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

Personal skills of value are collaborative ability, being analytical and structured. Strong willingness and motivation to learn science and perform high quality clinical research is a requirement. Experience of clinical work with children and research is a strong merit. 

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.

PANDA group prevention of asthma and allergy

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