Doctoral (PhD) student position in Control of Tumor-Associated Macrophage phenotypes

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 Department of Oncology-Pathology at the Karolinska Institutet is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join Dr. Charlotte Rolny’s research group. The group focuses on studying the phenotypes of Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) during tumor development. Dr. Rolny possesses extensive expertise in TAM biology and employs state-of-the-art animal models, patient samples, and molecular pathways to identify novel targets that regulate TAM’s immunosuppressive phenotypes.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

One of the primary challenges in anti-cancer therapy is limiting invasiveness and metastatic spread. It is well-established that Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) contribute to tumor progression and poor patient survival. Therefore, shifting TAMs from promoting tumor growth to inhibiting it represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Recently, our group has identified a crucial signaling pathway that regulates TAM’s pro-tumor functions. The objective of this project is to further elucidate how specific proteins control and regulate macrophage phenotypes, with the aim of exploiting this knowledge for anti-cancer therapy. The PhD project has received partial funding through a competitive process from the central funds at the Karolinska Institutet (KID funding).

The selected student will be expected to actively contribute to scientific hypothesis development, experimental design, experimentation, data analysis, presentation of results, and manuscript preparation. The project involves various cellular and molecular biology techniques, including cell culture, migration and proliferation assays, cloning, qPCR, RNA and protein immunoprecipitation, etc. Animal experimentation and tissue processing will constitute a significant portion of the experimental work. While the project primarily involves laboratory work, some familiarity with statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and systems biology is desirable. We are therefore seeking highly motivated students with a profound interest in immuno-oncology.

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

• Applications are welcome from talented students with degrees in biostatistics, bioinformatics or equivalent, or students with degrees in molecular biology or biomedicine with a strong interest in statistics and analyses of large data sets.
• Documented post-graduation experience within the field of statistical and/or bioinformatics analysis of data from medical or biomedical research projects is preferable but not necessary.
• An understanding of mRNA translation and/or cancer biology is an advantage.
• We are seeking a highly motivated and creative person.
• The candidate should have good communication skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in a team.
• Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.
• Excellent ability to express themselves in speech and writing in English is a requirement.

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.

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

Type of employment: PhD placement
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: Up on agreement
Salary: Monthly sallary
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100
City: Solna
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: STÖD 2-3056/2023
Contact:

1. Charlotte Rolny, charlotte.rolny@ki.se

Union representative:

1. Helen Eriksson, OFR, helen.eriksson@ki.se
2. Henry Wölling, Seko, henry.wolling@ki.se
3. Per Hydbring/Nick Tobin, Saco, per.hydbring@ki.se/nick.tobin@ki.se

Published: 2023-08-14
Last application date: 2023-09-04