Doctoral (PhD) student position in Microphysiological models

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

This doctoral position will be a part of Team Herland collaborating with Team Mellican, two of the 15 research teams that make up AIMES.  AIMES, The center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences is an interdisciplinary research center co-affiliated between Karolinska Institutet (KI) and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). Close interactions between pre-clinical and clinical scientists and researchers with natural sciences and engineering backgrounds characterize research at AIMES. Biomedical research in infection and neuroscience is addressed by the development of cutting-edge approaches based on Organic Bioelectronics, Organ-on-Chip technology, and Tissue Microbiology, which combines expertise in electroactive polymers, chemistry, microfluidics, neurobiology, microbiology, physiology, pathology and intravital imaging. Other areas of research include renewable biomaterials, sensor technologies and anti-fouling surfaces. AIMES explicitly aims to translate scientific findings to societal use via strong interactions with external stakeholders.

Team Herland focuses on developing microphysiological models based on microfluidic systems and 3D cultures. The team has specific expertise in human stem cell differentiation to neural and neurovascular fates and has done numerous studies in cellular interactions, as well as translocations across models of neurovasculature. Team Melican focuses on using cutting-edge tissue and animal models to study Bacterial Pathogenesis in vivo and in vitro. The team has expertise in numerous bacterial pathogens and tissue models, particularly in humanized skin models for studying bacterial skin and soft-tissue infections.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This project is funded by Karolinska Institutet KID grant and the European Network grant Infraplus. It is focused on developing advanced in vitro models of the blood-brain barrier. The project is strongly guided by the 3R principles to Reduce, Refine and Replace animal experiments. In the reduce and refine part the student will develop a microfluidic blood-brain barrier using mouse neurovascular cells, first primary, then derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. This model will be validated with direct in vitro to in vivo correlation to mouse data to build evidence for which studies advanced in vitro models are sufficient. In the replace part the student will further develop human microfluidic blood-brain barrier models established in Herland lab. These models will be used to study human-specific mechanisms and possible interventions for bacterial translocations across the blood-brain barrier that cause bacterial meningitis.  The project will involve primary and stem cell handling and differentiation, development, and integration of advanced microfluidic models, molecular microbiology approaches, as well as in vivo animal work. The student will be expected to optimize and develop new methodological approaches to address the research questions. 

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 highly motivated person with a Masters degree in Biomedicine, Molecular Biology or similar with a strong interest in novel in vitro models, especially of the CNS. 

Skills required include advanced cell biology (primary and stem cells) experience and demonstrated ability to work at BSL2 safety levels. Experience with microfluidic models is also required.

Good inter-personal and communication skills in English is a must, both written and oral.

Training in microbiology is advantageous. Experience with techniques for microscopy, as well as molecular biology assays, is desirable.

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.

https://aimes.se/

https://ki.se/personer/anna-herland

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