Department of Women´s and Children’s Health

The Department is organized in 10 divisions: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Surgery, Neuropediatrics, Pediatric Oncology, Neonatology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Neuropsychiatry (KIND), Reproductive and Perinatal Health. The divisions have separate scientific profiles and vary in size and have several research groups, dealing with both basic and clinical science.

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 doctoral student will join the department of Women's and Children's Health working under the principal supervision of Dr. Phillip Newton (https://ki.se/en/kbh/skeletal-development) and co-supervision of Prof. Klas Blomgren (Department of Women's and Children's Health, KI, https://staff.ki.se/people/klablo), Dr. Hong Qian (Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, KI, https://ki.se/en/medh/hong-qian-group) and Dr. David Gomez-Cabrero (Narvarrabiomed, Pamplona, Spain, https://www.navarrabiomed.es/en/directorio/gomez-cabrero).

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Our bones fulfill many essential roles in our lives, including weight-bearing, ion homeostasis and allowing locomotion by anchoring the muscles. During childhood they must fulfill these functions as well as one more: they must grow so that we reach our adult height. The PhD student will study how the long-bones grow and aim to understand what maintains this growth throughout childhood. The successful candidate will plan and conduct experimental research to reveal fundamental mechanisms of human growth. Duties will include collecting human and mouse growth plate samples and using molecular biology techniques to analyse them. Methodologies include sequencing experiments at the genomic and transcriptomic levels, confocal microscopy, laser capture micro-dissection, histological and histochemical staining, immunofluoresence, in situ hybridisation and other molecular biology technologies. The student will learn how to conduct bioinformatic analyses of their generated data. The successful applicant will acquire basic and specialized knowledge and understanding of skeletal growth, stem cell renewal, and computational analyses.

The doctoral student will be expected to take a lead in project design, organization, data analyses and interpretation. The student must be able to successfully working in a team and adhere to high scientific standards. The mentality to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment, and to actively engage in continuous professional development are essential.

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 an enthusiastic person with a curious mind who is passionate about furthering human knowledge and health through scientific research. You must be highly motivated and detail-oriented.

The successful candidate should:

  • have an inquisitive mindset
  • enjoy working as part of a team
  • be structured and responsible
  • demonstrate excellent record keeping
  • have expertise in standard techniques of molecular biology and cell biology
  • have an interest to learn bioinformatics
  • be fluent in written and spoken English

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.

Your application must contain the following documents. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish:

  • A personal letter and a curriculum vitae (Swedish or English)
  • Degree projects and previous publications, if any (Swedish or English)
  • Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above (Swedish or English)
  • A description of three scientific articles that you find most inspiring, with a brief explanation of their appeal
  • 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.

https://ki.se/en/about/yourcareer-continues-here
https://ki.se/en/kbh/skeletal-development

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 According to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-281/2021
Contact
  • Sabina Brinkley, HR-partner, 08-524 823 80
  • Phillip Newton, PhD, Research leader, phillip.newton@ki.se
Union representative
  • Bodil Moberg , OFR, 08-524 836 01
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • John Inge Johnsen , SACO, john.inge.johnsen@ki.se
Published 20.Jan.2021
Last application date 21.Mar.2021 11:59 PM CET

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