Doctoral student (PhD) position in heart regeneration

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 Eroglu Lab is part of the Cell and Molecular Biology Department. The lab combines state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques with advanced imaging to understand the cellular and molecular basis of heart regeneration in salamanders. Moreover, the group utilizes human iPSC-derived cardiac cells to translate findings made in model organisms into clinically relevant in vitro models.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The overall aim of this PhD project is to reveal the role of salamander-specific genes in heart regeneration. Salamanders exhibit the most extensive regenerative capacity among vertebrates, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this remarkable ability remain poorly understood. Notably, salamanders possess exceptionally large genomes. Recent genome sequencing efforts have uncovered numerous gene loci with no known mammalian orthologues. The PhD student will explore the function of a subset of these with interesting expression pattern using in vitro and in vivo models, loss and gain of function and live imaging.

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:

• 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.*

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, driven and enthusiastic person interested in our area of research, and ready to explore new avenues in science. The candidate should be a great team player with the potential to think independently and the capacity to work in an organized, systematic manner, ready to take the challenge of working with an unorthodox model organism and establishing novel tools and techniques. It is beneficial if the applicant has experience working with aquatic animals and small animal surgeries. Previous experience with intravital and confocal imaging and advanced image analysis (deconvolution, motion correction, cell tracking) is meriting.

The applicant must have a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, or similar, and it is desirable to have previous research experience in a multidisciplinary international environment in the cardiovascular biology field.

Terms and conditions

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

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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.

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

https://kaw.wallenberg.org/forskning/salamanderns-gener-rymmer-kunskap-som-kan-laka-hjartan

https://ki.se/forskning/forskningsomraden-centrum-och-natverk/forskargrupper/mekanobiologi-vid-hjartregenerering-elif-eroglus-forskargrupp

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all