PhD position in translational immunology with a focus on age-related differences in immune response to viral infection

Do you want to contribute to top-quality medical research?

Being a doctoral student means being admitted to a postgraduate education (doctoral training) where one follows an individual study plan. A doctoral student engages in a research project under supervision, supplemented by courses and other learning activities. A doctoral degree requires the equivalent of four years of full-time postgraduate education.

Research group

The successful candidate will join an international and committed research group of preclinical and clinical researchers conducting experimental and translational research to understand disease-driving mechanisms in inflammatory lung diseases and viral respiratory infections. Our studies use innovative techniques such as spectral flow cytometry, spatial and single-cell sequencing on unique, clinically well-characterized patient samples from cohorts that we follow longitudinally. We have large biobanks with blood and tissue samples from both patients and healthy controls. We have also established 3D model systems to study interactions between immune cells and airway epithelium.

Our research group is part of the Division of Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna. We are based at the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), on the Karolinska University Hospital Solna campus. CMM is a hub for advanced immunological research with close access to the hospital, partners and core facilities at KI and SciLifeLab. CMM has one of Sweden’s highest concentrations of immunological research groups, which creates a dynamic world-class research environment. We also actively collaborate with many research groups nationally and internationally.

The doctoral project and the doctoral student’s tasks

We are looking for a PhD student to work on age-related differences in immune responses in the blood and respiratory tract during influenza virus infection to understand what regulates the severity of the disease. In our research, we use clinically well-characterized, longitudinal patient samples from blood and tissues that we collect during the influenza season and perform high-resolution immunological analyses with e.g. spectral flow cytometry, proteomics and functional analyses. We can then link experimental data to clinical outcome to understand which immune responses are associated with good or poor prognosis, and how this differs depending on age. The PhD student will work in an inspiring environment with international colleagues and where facilities for the methods that will be used are often located in the same building. During the PhD studies, you will work with many different immunological methods, such as cell purification, cell culture, flow cytometry, ELISA and RNA sequencing.

What do we offer? 

A creative, international and inspiring environment filled with competence and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Here we conduct successful medical research and have the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI you will meet researchers with different research areas working together. It is this cross-border collaboration that contributes to KI’s world-leading position in research. As a doctoral student, you are offered an individual research project, a well-trained supervisor, a wide range of elective courses and the opportunity to work in a successful research group. Karolinska Institutet has collaborations with prominent universities all over the world, which provides opportunities for international exchanges. As an employed doctoral student, you receive a contractual salary, you are allowed to exercise freely in our modern health care facilities and you are reimbursed for medical care.

Eligibility requirements for doctoral education

To participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must prove both the basic (A) and the specific (B) eligibility requirements before the application period closes.

It is your responsibility as an applicant to prove your eligibility by following the instructions on the Eligibility for Doctoral Education webpage.

A) Basic eligibility requirements

You meet the basic eligibility requirements for doctoral education if you:

1. have completed an advanced level degree (Master’s or Doctoral degree), or
2. have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at advanced level,  or
3. has otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.*

Follow the instructions on  the Eligibility for doctoral education webpage .

*If you consider yourself to have equivalent knowledge, you should follow the instructions on the website Assessment of equivalent knowledge for basic eligibility for doctoral education.

B) Special eligibility requirements

You meet the specific eligibility requirements for doctoral education if you:

– Certifies knowledge of English (equivalent to English B/English 6 at high school with a passing grade).

Follow the instructions on  the English language requirements for doctoral education website.

Document verification Karolinska Institutet checks documents to detect forgeries. Karolinska Institutet reserves the right to revoke admission decisions if forgeries or irregularities are detected. Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action.

Skills and personal qualities

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student with an interest and desire to study the function of the immune system in respiratory viral infections. Passion for science and a desire to work hard for its advancement are the main requirements. We have a collaborative work environment and it is important that you work well in a group, but also be able to plan and carry out your work independently. Research samples from patients with influenza infection cannot be planned exactly, so you are required to be flexible and able to adapt to the situation. Documented previous experience in experimental, laboratory research and handling and biobanking of human biological samples is a requirement. Experience in spectral flow cytometry and design of flow cytometric panels is an advantage. Experience in other immunological methods is also an advantage.

Knowledge of immunology and experience with other relevant experimental methods (e.g. human sample handling, cell culture, ELISA, scRNA-seq, bioinformatic analysis) is advantageous. Applicants must have good English skills and good communication skills in speech and writing. The research project is conducted in close collaboration with clinical colleagues and the healthcare system and also includes some patient contact, which overall means that basic knowledge of Swedish is a great advantage.

Terms

The doctoral position involves employment as a doctoral student for a maximum of 4 years full-time.

Application

You apply for the doctoral position in the recruitment tool Varbi. Use the button at the top right and follow the instructions. We prefer that your application is written in English, but it is also possible to apply in Swedish.

Your application should include these documents:

– A personal letter and curriculum vitae 
– Any degree theses and publications 
– Other documents that prove the skills and qualities requested above 
– Documents that prove the basic eligibility requirement (see A above)
– Documents that prove the specific eligibility requirement (see B above)

Selection

Selection among eligible applicants will be made based on their ability to benefit from postgraduate education. An overall assessment of the applicants’ qualifications and suitability will be made.

The following assessment criteria are applied at Karolinska Institutet:

– Documented subject knowledge of importance to the research area
– Analytical skills
– Other documented knowledge/experience that may be of importance to the current doctoral education  

All applicants will receive information when the recruitment is completed.

Immunological disease mechanisms in the respiratory tract during viral infection and inflammation – Research group Anna Smed Sörensen