Doctoral (PhD) student position in 3D Genome Biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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

A PhD position in 3D genome biology is now available in the Bienko Lab (https://bienkocrosettolabs.org/) at Karolinska Institutet and Science for Life Laboratory in Stockholm. As a PhD student in our lab, you will gain broad knowledge in the field of 3D genome biology and learn to independently design, perform, and critically interpret the results of experiments aimed at addressing fundamental open questions in this field.

Our lab is situated in an international and dynamic research environment (https://www.scilifelab.se/) that is filled with scientists from different countries and backgrounds, which will stimulate your creativity and help you shape your project in original ways. The Bienko Lab is part of the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet, which conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Our lab’s long-term goal is to develop a predictive model of the 3D genome that, given any linear genome sequence, would allow predicting how it would fold in 3D in the cell nucleus.

Towards this goal, in your main project you will first develop new experimental tools to reconstruct the 3D genome structure of single cells carrying genomic rearrangements, such as chromosomal translocations. You will then apply these tools to systematically map the 3D genome structure in single cells derived from a library of cell clones harboring defined genomic rearrangements, which our lab is currently establishing using various approaches. Finally, you will work alongside computational scientists in our group as well as with our international collaborators to train and validate a machine learning model on the 3D genome structure that you will have generated. Together, you will then apply the model to make single-cell 3D genome structure predictions based on large databases of human cancer genomes.

Along this path, you are expected to learn to independently design and conduct experiments, and analyze and interpret the resulting data. You will present the results of your work both orally and in written form inside the group and at local, national, and international scientific meetings, always following the principles of rigorous, reproducible, and transparent science.

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

As a member of our lab, you are expected to work in a collegial fashion, be open to constructive criticism from your peers, and acknowledge that the group is more than the sum of its members. We strongly believe that greater results come from collaborative work and in order to fit in, you need to have a collegial spirit and work well with others. Furthermore:

In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the applicant:

• Is self-driven and able to get your job done independently of other people asking you to do so
• Is driven by challenges and seemingly unsolvable problems
• Can focus on a problem until you have solved it, no matter how many other things you could do (even if more interesting)

Additional skills that are especially meritorious for the position:

• It is beneficial if the applicant has experience with coding in at least one of the following languages: Python, R, Matlab, C++. Although you don’t need to have extensive expertise in bioinformatics, during this doctoral project you are expected to learn to process and (at least partially) analyze the data that you will be generating, under the supervision of senior bioinformaticians in the group

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.

To find out more about us, have a look at our website: https://bienkocrosettolabs.org/

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