Doctoral (PhD) student position in Quantitative Super-Resolution Microscopy for Podocyte Mechanobiology and Precision Diagnostics

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 project is hosted at the Department of Women's and Children's Health (KBH), Karolinska Institutet, with daily base at SciLifeLab Campus Solna (Stockholm) and access to state-of-the-art microscopy and computing infrastructure. The supervisory team combines expertise in super-resolution imaging, tissue preparation and quantitative bioimage analysis (David Unnersjö-Jess and Hjalmar Brismar, KI/KTH/SciLifeLab) with leading clinical nephrology and podocyte biology through Prof. Thomas Benzing's group (NephroLab, University of Cologne)—a research laboratory within the Department II of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Cologne, affiliated with the CECAD Research Institute and the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne. The project is strongly connected to the newly established Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio TRR422 (“PodoSigN – Podocyte Signaling Networks: From Basic Concepts to Disease Understanding”), a German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded network across the Universities of Cologne, Münster and Hamburg focused on the molecular control processes of podocytes in the renal filter. This connection provides access to research infrastructure at the University of Cologne, in particular within CECAD, the Cologne Cluster of Excellence dedicated to understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie aging and drive age-associated diseases. While the doctoral student will be admitted and primarily based at KBH, Karolinska Institutet, the project includes research visits to Cologne and weekly scientific exchange with the Benzing group.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In many glomerular diseases, functional decline is preceded by nanoscale remodeling of the glomerular filtration barrier. This PhD project develops reproducible microscopy and image-analysis workflows that turn nanoscale imaging into quantitative readouts for mechanobiology and precision diagnostics. The work spans: (1) standardized structural imaging of podocyte architecture in mouse models and archived human biopsies using confocal/STED and tissue expansion/clearing, (2) molecular-scale mapping of slit diaphragm organization (MINFLUX or comparable approaches when available), and (3) integration with mechanobiology readouts (e.g., ERISM or alternative force/stiffness assays) to link mechanical input to nanoscale structure. The doctoral student will plan and perform experiments, acquire and curate imaging datasets, develop and benchmark automated segmentation and quantitative analysis (including self-supervised/unsupervised representations), and disseminate results through publications and conference presentations in collaboration with groups in Stockholm and Cologne.

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

Required:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in biomedical science, bioengineering, physics, computer science or a related field.
• Documented interest in microscopy and/or quantitative image analysis.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Meritorious:

• Experience with fluorescence microscopy (confocal, super-resolution such as STED/SIM/MINFLUX) and/or sample preparation (immunolabelling, tissue clearing/expansion).
• Programming for data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and experience with machine learning/deep learning.
• Background knowledge in kidney biology, cell biology or mechanobiology.

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.

Department of Women's and Children's Health (KBH)

SciLifeLab

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