Comprehensive analysis of sex-immune dimorphism in the TME

Karolinska Institutet, Dept of Laboratory Medicine Huddinge/Division of Pathology

Department of Laboratory Medicine Huddinge/Division of Pathology (LABMED) consists of 7 divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under the 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

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join the group of Associate Professor Dhifaf Sarhan to work on projects concerning the sex-immune dimorphism in the tumor microenvironment of solid tumors. The position is based at the Division of Pathology, ANA Futura at Karolinska Institutet, Flemingsberg Campus, and in collaboration with the Centre for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics (CBB), and the Pancreatic Cancer group at the Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology - CLINTEC. Through collaborations with clinicians and core facilities, basic and translational researchers, we have access to new world-class unique infrastructure for developing new therapeutic strategies and studying the efficacy and safety of novel treatments in a translational setting and later in clinical trials.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

It is increasingly clear by evidence developed by us and elsewhere that sex as a biological factor strongly affects immune regulation and response in ways that we propose can act through and on the tumor microenvironment resulting in differential cancer progression mechanisms in male and female cancer patients. Sex dimorphism is poorly understood in cancer progression and is typically ignored in the current clinical practice. The successful candidate will work on a project to close the knowledge gap in how sex-specific immune responses contribute to cancer evasion mechanisms and the response to immunotherapy. The candidate is expected to work within the general framework of the research project but is expected to contribute with ideas and proposals for experiments. The Ph.D. studies correspond to 4 years of full-time studies and include laboratory work as well as preclinical work with in vivo models, general and project-related research courses, active participation in seminars, and presenting results at seminars and meetings.

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 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.

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.

We are looking for a PhD candidate with below necessary requirements:

- Experiences in bioinformatics data analysis

- Experiences in applying bioinformatics methods to analyse data including expression, genome sequence, epigenomics or metagenomics data

- Experiences in using R or python for data analysis are a plus. Good knowledge in written and spoken English is required.

A successful applicant will preferably start working during the summer 2024 but the exact timing and details of the position is open for discussion.

• A master degree in Medicine or equivalent, Public health, or related field.
• Internship experience in research of cancer/immunology
• Strong motivation in medical research.
• Proficient knowledge in English.

In addition, it is advantageous to have:

• Experience with programming software (R, Python, SAS or Stata)
• A good knowledge in tumor microenvironment/immunology/immunotherapy
• A good knowledge in statistical methodology
• Experience working with cell/tissue processing techniques, flow cytometry and analysis of flow cytometric data
• Good communication/social skills

Terms and conditions

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
- 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. Eligible candidates will be invited to interview in the second step of the recruitment process.

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.

It is your responsibility to certify eligibility by following the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

Pursuant to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, applications are kept on file for two years after the appointment has gained legal force. The regulations do not apply to attachments that have been printed or otherwise published.

Karolinska Institutet strives to provide a workplace that has approximately the same number of women and men, is free of discrimination and offers equal opportunity to everyone.

For temp agencies and recruiters, and to salespersons: We politely, yet firmly, decline direct contact with temp agencies and recruiters, as well as those selling additional job announcements.