Doctoral (PhD) student position in molecular metabolism and mitochondrial diseases - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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

The student will be placed in the laboratory of Professor Nils-Göran Larsson that comprises 2 senior scientists, 9 postdoctoral scientists and 1 PhD student, with administrative and laboratory assistance. The group is embedded in the Division of Molecular Metabolism, which consists of three research groups (Larsson, Wredenberg, Rorbach) and is located at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Biomedicum. All major pieces of equipment necessary for the proposed research project are available within the division, including equipment for protein purification, cell culture, radioactivity work, and equipment for mitochondria-specific assays.

The division provides an intellectually inspiring environment with a variety of opportunities for students to learn, such as lectures by world-leading scientists, focused seminar series and journal clubs. Moreover, weekly joint group meetings provide students with the opportunity to present their research data and receive feedback from other members of the division.

The research group has close collaborations with the Center for Inherited Metabolic diseases (CMMS) at Karolinska Hospital, the Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), groups from Gothenburg University and the Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing in Germany.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The student, with the guidance of the supervisor(s), will take the leading role in conducting and interpreting experiments and presenting results at scientific meetings. He/she is expected to have an open attitude towards learning and applying new skills and should be able to work well within a team of research group members and collaborators.

The overall aim of the doctoral student project is to identify biomarkers that are common for many different types of mitochondrial diseases in order to facilitate diagnosis, monitor disease progression and follow treatment responses. In mitochondrial diseases, one of the most common forms of inherited metabolic disease, the situation concerning biomarkers is complicated because of the wide clinical spectrum and large genetic heterogeneity in affected patients. Mitochondrial diseases are present in >1:5000 individuals and onset of disease can be at any age, from birth to late in adult life. Therefore, another aim of the project will be to investigate if the sensitivity to impaired oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) differs between different tissues, different cell types in the same tissue and with age. The student will work with mouse models with mitochondrial dysfunction as well as with human samples. He/she will use small molecule inhibitors of mitochondrial transcription to study the sensitivity to mitochondrial dysfunction in different tissues of the mouse.

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

The successful candidate should be highly motivated and have strong organizational skills with the ability to work both independently and in a group. The student is preferred to have a medical background and a great interest in molecular metabolism, mitochondrial biology and biomarker discovery. Research experience in basic laboratory techniques and animal handling is a strength, as well as a keen interest in transcriptomic, metabolomic and proteomic analysis. Excellent written and spoken English is required, preferably also Swedish. Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

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.

Your application must contain the following documents. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish:

- 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.

More information about the research group:

https://ki.se/en/mbb/nils-goran-larsson-group

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