Doctoral (PhD) position in oral biology and medicine Full-time

Doctoral (PhD) Position in Oral Biology and Medicine

The Department of Dental Medicine at Campus Flemingsberg focuses on the education of dentists and dental hygienists. In addition, we perform research, dental specialization training and provide patient care by specialist dentists. Karolinska Institutet and the rest of Scandinavia have been world leaders in dentistry for decades.

Research Group

The Oral Biology and Medicine Research Group conducts research into diseases affecting the soft tissues of the mouth. We are based at Campus Flemingsberg in Stockholm with the Department of Dental Medicine and are associated with the Ana Futura, a state-of-the-art research facility.

The Doctoral Project and the Student’s Tasks

The Oral Biology and Medicine Group principally focuses on the complications that result following hematopoietic cell transplantation in the form of Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD), which is a major cause for morbidity and mortality in these patients. Oral manifestations are one of the most common and debilitating complications, with a diverse spectrum of clinical features, including mucosal lesions, salivary gland dysfunction and restricted mouth opening. In addition, studies investigating other pre-malignant and malignant oral diseases are ongoing.

The advertised doctoral project will explore the disease mechanisms that drive oral chronic GVHD. The project will focus on the long-term consequences of the disease and its possible transformation towards oral cancer. The successful candidate will combine spatial screening with cutting-edge gene and protein expression profiling, and immune-stromal pathways. The overall goal is to identify the mechanistic drivers of pre‑malignant change and explore early detection and risk stratification for these high-risk patients, which may lead towards new treatments.

The doctoral student will receive broad training in histology and imaging, cell culture, transcriptomics and proteomics, and computational data analysis, and will work closely with colleagues in the Oral Biology and Medicine Group. The student will perform experiments, analyse complex experimental data, interpret and present results and participate in the writing of scientific papers.

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.

1. A) General eligibility requirement You meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:
• have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
• 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
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
2. 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.

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 welcome applications from candidates with a degree in dentistry or equivalent. Experience in histology, biomedicine and molecular biology is an asset, as is prior knowledge in histology, immunology and/or cancer biology.

We are looking for someone who shows a clear interest in the research area and who has the ability to work independently, take your own initiative and drive work forward. You enjoy collaborating and contribute to a good and productive team climate.

You have good communication skills and express yourself well in spoken and written English. Knowledge of Swedish is an asset, especially in contexts that may involve patient contact.

Great importance will be placed on personal suitability.

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 through the Varbi recruitment system. Please use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions.

Your application should include the following documents:

• A personal statement and curriculum vitae
• Any degree projects/theses and publications
• Other documents demonstrating the skills and qualifications described above
• Documents verifying that you meet the general eligibility requirements (see A above)
• Documents verifying that you meet the specific eligibility requirements (see B above)

Selection

Selection among eligible applicants will be based on their ability to benefit from doctoral education. A comprehensive assessment of the applicants' qualifications and suitability will be carried out.

The following assessment criteria are applied at Karolinska Institutet:

• Documented subject knowledge relevant to the research area
• Analytical ability
• Other documented knowledge/experience of relevance to the doctoral education

All applicants will be informed when the recruitment process has been completed.

Do You Want to Make a Difference – and Contribute to Better Health for All? Apply to Karolinska Institutet