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 Smed Sörensen lab is an international research group that does translational immunology on respiratory inflammatory diseases and respiratory viral infections including influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2. We have attracted funding for our research from the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This doctoral research project is focused on humoral immunological responses during influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination to understand how mucosal and systemic immunity correlates with and possibly predicts clinical outcome and risk of reinfection. We study upper and lower respiratory samples ad well as blood from patients and vaccines using immunological, cell and molecular biological method, which includes work in biosafety level 2 and 3. We also study B cells in human respiratory tissues from organ donors.  In addition to the doctoral research project, the doctoral student is expected to help with common tasks of the laboratory as well as actively participate in seminars and journal clubs.

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

Experience from processing of human biological samples, flow cytometry and cell culture is necessary. Experience from work in BSL3 is desirable. Experience from work with patient samples, B cell immunology and antibodies is desirable, as is documented research experience in the infection immunology area. The applicant should hold a master degree in medicine or biomedicine. We are looking for an ambitious, technically skilled and creative person that can communicate in English. The successful applicant must be able to work independently within his/her project but also have the capacity to work efficiently and productively in a team. It is necessary to work carefully and systematically.

Terms and conditions

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

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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.

Location

The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group of associate professor Anna Smed Sörensen. 

Research group

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-278/2023
Contact
  • Anna Smed Sörensen, +46737121641
Union representative
  • Afsar Rahbar OFR, Afsar.Rahbar@ki.se
  • Louisa Cheung, SACO, Louisa.Cheung@ki.se
  • Bruna Gigante, SACO, bruna.gigante@ki.se
Published 20.Jan.2023
Last application date 29.Jan.2023 11:59 PM CET

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