PhD Position in Cell Biology and Metabolic Disease Full-time

PhD Position in Cell Biology and Metabolic Disease

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 doctoral student will be based within the Division of Clinical Chemistry at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. The group's primary focus is cardiometabolic diseases, including metabolic liver disease, and human physiology. The research environment has extensive experience in working with mouse models, primary human and murine cells. The group integrates experimental biology with high-throughput approaches such as transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate disease mechanisms in clinically relevant contexts.

The research environment offers access to modern laboratories, advanced core facilities, and a collaborative multidisciplinary setting that supports training across experimental systems and methodologies. In addition to conducting research within the group, the doctoral student will be part of a collaborative research environment with opportunities for interaction within Karolinska Institutet and with national and international research partners.

The Doctoral Student Project and the Duties of the Doctoral Student

This doctoral project aims to investigate cellular mechanisms relevant to metabolic liver disease, with a focus on the regulation and function of lipid droplets in disease-relevant contexts. The project combines experimental approaches across model systems, including human-relevant liver models. Advanced microscopy and quantitative image analysis will be used to study cellular and subcellular phenotypes, linking molecular mechanisms to disease-associated cellular states.

As a doctoral student, you will play an active role in the research process, including experimental planning and execution, data analysis and interpretation, and dissemination of results through scientific publications and presentations. The project involves work with cell-based systems, 3D liver spheroids, and human liver tissue in close collaboration with complementary research groups. You will be expected to work independently under supervision while contributing to a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment. Through participation in doctoral courses, seminars, and journal clubs, you will develop the skills required of an independent researcher and complete a doctoral thesis.

As part of the doctoral education, the position may include educational duties, such as supervision of students and contribution to teaching activities within the biomedical laboratory science (BMA) program. These activities will be carried out in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's regulations for doctoral education and within the framework of the doctoral studies.

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.

(A) and (B) can only be certified by the documentation requirement for doctoral education.

Skills and Personal Qualities

We are looking for a motivated PhD student with a strong interest in experimental cell biology and disease-oriented research. The ideal candidate is curious about how cellular and subcellular processes contribute to disease and enjoys working at the interface between molecular mechanisms and cellular phenotypes.

Applicants should have a background in biomedical sciences, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related field, and experience with experimental laboratory work. This typically includes techniques such as cell culture and molecular or genetic manipulation. Experience with fluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence, and quantitative image analysis is a strong merit, particularly an interest in studying cellular organization and organelle-level phenotypes.

The project involves connecting genetic or molecular perturbations to cellular and subcellular readouts across different experimental systems. We therefore value experience with hypothesis-driven research, careful experimental design, and thoughtful data analysis and validation.

The candidate should be comfortable working both independently and in collaboration with others in a multidisciplinary research environment. Personal qualities such as curiosity, perseverance, adaptability, and attention to detail are important, given the exploratory and mechanistic nature of the project. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required, as the work involves reading, writing, and presenting scientific results in an international setting.

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.