Department of Medicine, Solna

The Department of Medicine, Solna, is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet. The department consists of several divisions that are separated into different research groups. The core activities of the department are research, doctoral education and undergraduate education for medical and biomedical students. The research has three main profiles: allergy, cardiovascular medicine and inflammatory diseases.

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 research group Sonkoly, within the Dermatology and Venereology Division, offers an international research environment with enthusiasm for science and a longstanding interest and experience in non-coding RNA research, epidermal biology and inflammatory skin diseases. The main focus is investigation of non-coding RNAs in chronic inflammatory skin diseases, using patient material and state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo models. The research is performed in an interdisciplinary setting with strong collaboration with other dermatology groups, clinical departments and national and international collaborators.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral project will focus on the exploration of the role of non-coding RNAs in chronic inflammatory skin diseases. The overarching aim of the project is to understand the role and therapeutic potential of non-coding RNAs in chronic inflammatory skin diseases and to explore their function in skin biology. The doctoral student will perform functional characterization of non-coding RNAs using primary cell culture, 3D skin equivalents, patient samples, as well as animal models of skin inflammation. The project will include molecular biology methods including but not restricted to cell culture in 2D and 3D, overexpression/inhibition of non-coding RNAs, CRISPR-Cas9-based modulation/knock-out of non-coding RNAs, single molecule in situ hybridization, and transcriptomics/RNAseq; as well as bioinformatics methods such as analysis of transcriptomic/RNAseq data. The student will have the necessary support from experienced researchers, group members and collaborators.

The successful candidate will obtain a deep understanding of non-coding RNA-mediated gene regulation and epithelial biology. The PhD student is expected to continuously be engaged in professional development, take responsibility for the project, and take part in all research-related activities such as group meetings, national/international meetings, as well as standard laboratory routines of the group.

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 individual with a strong interest in medical research. The candidate should have a master degree or equivalent in biomedicine, molecular biology, medicine, or related disciplines.

Necessary skills and personal qualities

  • Strong, genuine interest in medical research and a curious mind set
  • Experience in basic molecular biology techniques
  • Fluent in English both in oral and written communication
  • Preciseness in laboratory work and documentation
  • Excellent communication skills, teamwork abilities, willingness to help PhD/master students

Meritorious skills and personal qualities

  • Experience in one or more of the methods required for the project such as: animal models, culturing of primary cells/3D cultures, methods related to non-coding RNA research, flow cytometry
  • Experience in analysis of transcriptomics/RNAseq data, experience in R

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

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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.

Location

The Department of Medicine, Solna, consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group Sonkoly, within the Dermatology and Venereology Division. The group is located at the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) at the Karolinska University Hospital area.
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Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-622/2021
Contact
  • Enikö Sonkoly, +46 730770374
Union representative
  • Afsar Rahbar OFR, Afsar.Rahbar@ki.se
  • Louisa Cheung, SACO, Louisa.Cheung@ki.se
Published 08.Feb.2021
Last application date 28.Feb.2021 11:59 PM CET

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