Doctoral (PhD) student position in human immunology

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 student will join Dr. Magdalini Lourda’s team, which is part of the Systems Virology Laboratory within the Division of Clinical Microbiology at the Department of Laboratory Medicine in Huddinge. The division conducts cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research in infectious diseases, contributing translational knowledge to the development of innovative diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. Dr Lourda’s team integrates advanced multi-omic techniques and bioinformatic analyses to gain deeper insight into the role of the innate immune system in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases affecting children or adults. Currently, the team’s research focuses on characterizing the phenotype and function of granulocyte subpopulations in blood and tissue samples from patients with psoriasis or viral infections, aiming at understanding how these cells drive disease pathology.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The project bridges molecular and cellular biology, immunology and systems biology to address critical gaps in understanding the role of granulocytes in psoriasis. We aim to integrate advanced experimental techniques to characterize the phenotype and function of disease-specific granulocyte subpopulations in psoriasis patients, identify the factors driving their tissue infiltration and explore how their interactions with stromal and immune cells contribute to disease pathology. Additionally, the project seeks to uncover key molecular pathways and biomarkers associated with immune response and disease severity.

The student will collect and process blood and skin biopsies from patients with various types of psoriasis and at different disease stages. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as multicolour flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, microscopy, extracellular vesicle research, and multi-omics integration, the project aims to generate novel insights into psoriasis pathogenesis.

During the doctoral education, the student will gain theoretical knowledge in immunology and hands-on expertise in advanced research methodologies. The student is expected to attend relevant doctoral courses, develop research and analytical skills, cultivate independent critical thinking, and formulate research questions with scientific rigor. Learning activities will include data processing and analysis using various bioinformatic approaches, presenting and communicating research findings (in group meetings, seminars, conferences and manuscripts) and participating in weekly seminars in our division as well as other relevant immunology and infection seminars at KI.

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 seeking a responsible, well-organized and highly motivated student to pursue a 4-year doctoral program. Prior experience in human immunology research and multicolour flow cytometry (including data analysis in Flowjo) is required. Expertise in transcriptomics, microscopy, ELISA and assay development is highly advantageous. Experience in establishing primary cell cultures from human tissues or conducting other in vitro assays is meritorious. The candidate must be fluent in English, possess excellent communication skills and thrive in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary and international research environment.

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.

Division of Clinical Microbiology

Team Innate immune system in infection, inflammation and cancer

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