PhD position in stem cell biology and spinal cord injury Full-time NEW

PhD Position In Stem Cell Biology And Spinal Cord Injury

The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. The Department has approximately 540 employees and a revenue 2023 of 530 million SEK. It comprises seven divisions, located at Campus Flemingsberg and Campus Solna.

The Division of Neurogeriatrics consists of about 70 employees. The division conducts experimental and translational research related primarily to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, but also more general molecular mechanisms with biomedical relevance are studied, in BioClinicum, KI Campus Solna and Neo, KI Campus Flemingsberg.

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 Li lab addresses fundamental questions in stem cell biology, including how stem cells generate diverse neurons and glial cells during human neurodevelopment, maturation, aging as well as post injury. By combining animal modeling, human sampling, stem cell cultures, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics as well as computational algorithms, we have generated different atlases across diverse conditions (development, aging, disease etc.), and established various bioinformatic pipelines and cell and animal models for relevant analyses and validation. We aim to use these atlases to uncover the genetic regulations of stem cells, and leverage this new knowledge for new therapies for spinal cord injuries.

The Doctoral Student Project And The Duties Of The Doctoral Student

This doctoral project aims to develop effective stem cell therapies for spinal cord injury, via the investigation of spinal cord development and traumatic spinal cord injury. The student will work with advanced approaches including single-cell and spatial omics, CRISPR-based gene perturbation, stem cell engineering, and experimental models of spinal cord injury. The project spans from identifying neural progenitor subtypes and their regulatory programs, to testing whether development-guided engineering strategies can be used to optimize graft composition and lead to functional recovery.

The doctoral student is expected to actively contribute to both computational and experimental parts of the project and to progressively develop into an independent researcher. The doctoral education will include training in neuroscience, advanced cell and molecular biology, data analysis, bioinformatics, molecular and cellular methods, animal experiments, scientific writing, presentation, and critical thinking. The student should expect a stimulating and ambitious research environment, close supervision, coursework, collaboration, and steady progression toward scientific independence.

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

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong ability to collaborate and work effectively within a team. You will be part of a research environment that requires accuracy, initiative, and strong communication skills.

Requirements For The Position

• Master's degree in cell and molecular biology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, developmental biology, or a related field.
• Relevant skills in at least one, preferably several, of the following areas:

• Cell culture
• Animal handling
• Histological methods
• Fluorescence or confocal microscopy
• Molecular cloning
• Programming in R or Python
• Statistics
• Bioinformatic analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing and/or spatial transcriptomics data

• Excellent oral and written English.

Merits For The Position

• Experience in animal surgery in brain or spinal cord
• Experience in analysis of large datasets
• FELASA certification

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)

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.