Doctoral (PhD) student position in cellular neurodevelopmental biology

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 Developmental and Translational Neurobiology research group, headed by Dr. Cristiana Cruceanu, studies molecular mechanisms of environmental exposures shaping early human development, with a focus on neurodevelopment. The overarching aim is to understand the long-term outcomes of these exposures on mental health. We use state-of-the-art in-vitro cell culture models of the brain and placenta, to model and understand early human development. The exposures at the forefront of our interest are stress hormones, psychotropic medications, and inflammatory agents, given their interconnected mechanisms of action and relevance in neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Our work aims to improve our understanding of prenatal exposures and inform treatment decisions for stress-related disorders among pregnant women with evidence about the likely outcomes in their developing children. The Cruceanu lab is part of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Karolinska Institute, located at the Biomedicum, a new interdisciplinary research center designed to concentrate much of the experimental research conducted at Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This PhD project is aimed at advancing our understanding of how prenatal exposure to antidepressant medications could shape the developing brain and ultimately neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring. The first trimester of pregnancy is key to offspring development because this is the peak of neurogenesis, the period when neurons are born and their functional fate is mapped out. You will study the molecular and cellular mechanisms activated by pharmacological exposures during critical brain development periods, using complex in-vitro human brain model systems. You will focus on neurodevelopmental outcomes related to cell fate determination, tissue architecture and epigenetic remodeling. You will assess the risks and benefits of commonly prescribed antidepressants as well as novel rapid-acting agents currently at the forefront of pharmacological promise in depression and anxiety. You will gain experience in the areas of molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, developmental neuroscience, and bioinformatics, with a strong focus on single-cell and cell-type specific approaches. You are expected to play a leading role in experimental design, execution of experiments, analysis of data, writing of research findings, as well as presentation and publication of results.

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 seek an enthusiastic individual with cell and molecular biology education, and prior experience in both in-vitro and ex-vivo culture systems, including pluripotent stem cell-derived model systems and primary culture or tissue explants. We are seeking a hybrid wet-dry-lab candidate who can execute experimental paradigms leading to imaging- and sequencing-based quantification and develop the computational skills to analyze different ‘big data’ modalities.

• A background in pharmacology and physiology is essential, as the proposed project will bridge the gap between these fields in the neurodevelopment context.
• The project will rely on culture of three-dimensional organoid and organotypic brain cell systems, so hands-on experience with cerebral organoids, neuroblasts, slice culture or other neuronal model systems will be essential.
• The ideal candidate must be able to independently perform basic molecular biology techniques such as cryosectioning, immunofluorescence and microscopy, quantitative PCR and other protein and gene quantification methods. Knowledge of fluorescence-activated cell sorting will be considered a plus.
• Computational knowledge specifically in R or Python is highly desirable. Previous hands-on experience with the analysis or interpretation of single-cell or bulk sequencing datasets is a plus. In addition, the ideal candidate should possess some experience with Linux-based servers and management of high-performance clusters.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required, along with experience with scientific writing. The professional communication language for this position will be English.
• Above all, we will evaluate highly the candidate’s capacity for self-motivated and independent work, while also being a team player who can collaborate and contribute positively to ongoing projects and lab culture.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in a stimulating and collaborative environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure. We are strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness, and encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

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. Please note that the selection process may take time during the holiday period and our response may therefore be deleyed. 

Cristiana Cruceanu's research group

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