PhD student position in Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiovascular Disease Full-time NEW

PhD Student Position In Extracellular Vesicles In Cardiovascular 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.

Our research group is based within the Division of Clinical Chemistry at the Department of Laboratory Medicine. The Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of 6 divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine to promote human health in short and long term. The department has close collaboration with Karolinska Hospital and is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical, and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

The primary focus of the Division of Clinical Chemistry is to explore the molecular basis of cardiometabolic diseases in the context of healthy aging. The overall aim of the advertised doctoral project is to improve cardiovascular disease risk prediction by establishing a framework for the comprehensive characterization of underlying mechanisms, clinical relevance, and compositional and functional properties of extracellular vesicles. Our team comprises a diverse array of experts, including physicists, biologists, chemists, and bioinformaticians. This multidisciplinary composition fosters a stimulating scientific environment conducive to innovative research approaches. With access to modern and fully equipped laboratories at ANA Futura, our group is well-equipped to conduct high-quality research across various disciplines.

The project aims to improve cardiovascular disease risk prediction by establishing a framework for the comprehensive characterization of underlying mechanisms, clinical relevance, and compositional and functional properties of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The doctoral student will combine experimental, translational and clinical-epidemiological approaches to investigate the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cardiovascular disease. The doctoral student will play a central role throughout the research process, from experimental planning and data generation to analysis, interpretation and communication of the results. The student will work with human plasma samples and isolate and characterize EVs using methods including ultrafiltration and/or density-gradient ultracentrifugation combined with size-exclusion chromatography, multiplex bead-based EV flow cytometry and single-EV imaging flow cytometry. The project further includes molecular characterization using lipidomics, proteomics and transcriptomics, as well as functional studies in primary cells. Clinical and high-dimensional molecular data will be analyzed using appropriate biostatistical and bioinformatic approaches. The doctoral student will also be responsible for data management and quality control, literature review, presentation and discussion of results, and preparation of scientific manuscripts. Through active participation in research group activities, seminars, conferences and doctoral courses in accordance with the individual study plan, the student will progressively develop the scientific and methodological skills required to conduct independent research and complete a doctoral thesis.

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.

In order to participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must meet the following general and specific 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.

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.

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.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in experimental and translational cardiovascular research. The applicant should have a degree in medicine, biomedical sciences, or a related field, in addition to fulfilling the formal eligibility requirements for doctoral education at Karolinska Institutet.

The candidate should have relevant knowledge of cardiovascular disease, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, and/or cardiometabolic biomarker research. Previous hands-on laboratory experience is highly valued, particularly work with plasma samples, lipoproteins or extracellular vesicles, cell culture, and molecular and cellular techniques such as RNA isolation, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry. Experience with omics technologies, functional cell-based assays, or the integration of experimental measurements with clinical or prospective cohort data is an advantage.

Experience in quantitative biomedical research and statistical analysis using R or Python is desirable. Previous involvement in scientific writing and peer-reviewed publications will be considered a strong merit.

The project requires a candidate who can work carefully and systematically, take increasing responsibility for planning and conducting research, and maintain accurate and reproducible documentation. The doctoral student will work in a multidisciplinary environment and should therefore have good communication and collaborative skills while also being able to work independently. Particular importance will be placed on scientific curiosity, analytical thinking, reliability, persistence, and a strong motivation to develop as an independent researcher in experimental and translational cardiovascular science.

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

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 above) – Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see 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.

KI applies a salary scale when setting salaries for doctoral students.