Doctoral (PhD) Student Position in Oral Biology and Medicine

The Department of Dental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet provides undergraduate education for dental - , dental hygienist - and postgraduate students as well as master and doctoral studies. The Oral Diagnostics and Surgery Unit provides undergraduate training in oral biomedicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral radiology, and orofacial medicine. 

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 Oral Biology and Medicine group is led by Associate Professor Rachael Sugars at the Department of Dental Medicine. The group is interested in developing pathological diagnostics and understanding disease processes in the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Specifically, we are concerned with the complications that result following hematopoietic cell transplantation in the form of Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD). Studies are working to understand GVHD pathogenesis, clinical and diagnostic criteria and the search for predictive biomarkers.

The PhD student will work on studies focused on the clinical and pathological diagnostics of oral lesions, specifically within GVHD. The student will investigate the clinical presentation and pathology of mucosal and salivary GVHD and examine underlying disease mechanisms. The studies will include clinical evaluation of patients and the study of patient material. Methods will include clinical assessments and grading criteria along with cellular and molecular immunological techniques.

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 (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:

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 .

The applicant must have a degree in dental medicine as well as a licence for practice in Sweden issued by Socialstyrelsen. The applicant should have a deep interest in dental, medical, and biological problems. The applicants should be engaged in accelerating oral and overall health promotion. We put great importance to personal qualities in this recruitment. As a person, you are ambitious, curious, and motivated. You need to have a structured and analytical way of working. You demonstrate problem-solving skills. You enjoy independent work, but you are also collaborative and have good communication skills.

In addition to aforementioned requirements, the applicant must have:

• Clinical specialization in orofacial medicine with a licence for practice in Sweden issued by Socialstyrelsen

Additional skills that are meritorious for the position:

• A previous experience in the area of oral mucosal lesions
• Experience of working with the statistical programs
• Experience of monitoring, analysing, and reporting health data
• Previous research experience in the laboratory

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 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.

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