Doctoral Position in Translational Cancer Research

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 laboratory of Professor Thomas Helleday is seeking to recruit a highly motivated doctoral (PhD) student for research on improving cancer treatments. The Helleday laboratory belongs to the Department of Oncology-Pathology at Karolinska Institutet and is located at SciLifeLab, a national centre for molecular biosciences containing state-of-the-art high-throughput technology platforms alongside world-leading research laboratories. The multidisciplinary research group consists of Ph.D. students, postdocs, and senior researchers within biology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology, many with experience from the pharmaceutical industry.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral student dedicated to conducting translational research, particularly in uncovering the molecular mechanisms underpinning cancer biology and how these can be targeted using small molecule compounds.
The goal of the doctoral project is to increase the understanding of molecular vulnerabilities to target thymidine production in colorectal cancer that could result in new personalized treatment options. Central to this is our first-in-class inhibitors of the one-carbon metabolic MTHFD1/MTHFD2 proteins that target thymidine production by a cancer-specific folate trapping mechanism (Bonagas et al. Nat Cancer, 2022; Green et al. Nat Metab, 2023). The doctoral candidate will employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating molecular biology studies with deep-learning techniques to test the principal hypotheses of the project. The prospective doctoral student will perform research to i) identify mechanisms governing vulnerability to thymidine-targeting therapy, ii) detail molecular mechanisms behind uracil-induced cancer cell death, and iii) validate deep learning-based biomarkers to predict treatment response.

The doctoral student will gain knowledge in pre-clinical drug development, translational science and have the possibility to investigate translating the research findings into new treatment options. The doctoral student is expected to take the mandatory doctoral courses provided by the doctoral program, actively participate in group meetings, seminars and present the work at national/international conferences.

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

To reach the learning goals of the PhD education in the best possible way we are looking for applicants with a keen interest in conducting translational research, particularly in uncovering the molecular mechanisms underpinning cancer biology and how this can be targeted using small molecule compounds.  We are looking for a highly motivated, curious and creative applicant with a high attention to detail.

To qualify as a candidate the following criteria are required:

• Documented hands-on laboratory experience.
• Knowledge and previous experience in research involving cancer metabolism or DNA repair.
• Previous experience with cell culture work, including handling and culturing of different cell types such as blood- and solid cancer cells.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and verbal).

The following criteria are meriting:

• Knowledge and experience in research involving both translation research within cancer metabolism and DNA repair is meriting.
• Previous documented experience establishing disease models within oncology is a merit.
• Previous documented experience with standard cellular techniques, such as cellular viability/survival assays and molecular biology techniques, e.g., Confocal microscopy, Gene editing techniques (e.g, siRNA and CRISPR-Cas9), COMET assay, DNA fiber assay, CETSA and Western Blotting, are highly meritorious.
• Previous documented experience in cellular target engagement methods, such as DARTS, and cell synergy experiments is highly meritorious.

Good knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and GraphPad Prism is required.

Applicants need to be well organized and work in a timely manner.  Applicants should be able to work constructively in a team and have experience working in a multidisciplinary team while also being able to work independently. Emphasis will be placed upon personal suitability, considering how well the candidates’ knowledge and skills fits within the current research 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.

Apply at the latest 13^th November.

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