Doctoral (PhD) student in brain and spinal cord childhood cancer

The Division of Neurogeriatrics consists of about 70 employees. The division conducts experimental and translational research related primarily to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, but also more general molecular mechanisms with biomedical relevance are studied, in BioClinicum, KI Campus Solna and Neo, KI Campus Flemingsberg.

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.

We have a four-year full-time position as PhD student in our research group in Karolinska Institutet available to study childhood cancer in the brain and spinal cord. The aim of our research is to understand the processes that make these tumors so difficult to treat, and to identify possible targets for more effective treatments in the future.

We are mainly focusing our research on so-called ependymomas, which is one of the most common types of tumors in the brain and spinal cord. We compare ependymoma subtypes of different severity using multi-omics analyses of tumor samples to acquire a better understanding of the cell types present in the tumors, and the patterns of gene expression in various cell types. We are particularly interested in the cancer stem cells, the type of cells that are relatively resistant to treatment, and that give rise to recurring tumors and daughter tumors. We also culture tumor cells to be able to change their gene expression and control critical features of the cells. Tumor cells are also transplanted to mice to be able to study in detail the tumor cells over longer time periods, how they develop and change in an environment that resembles the conditions in the patient. Key questions in our research are the role of cancer stem cells, the molecular-genetic control of self-renewal of these cells, their transition in and out of quiescence and to more differentiated phenotypes.

As a PhD student you will learn a variety of techniques for gene expression analysis including the bioinformatical tools to analyze the data you acquire. You will use cell culture techniques, isolate cells with FACS, and apply reporter genes for this purpose. You will learn animal surgery and apply methods for stereotaxic injections to transplant tumor cells to mice, which may be monitored with magnetic resonance imaging (micro-MRI) or other imaging techniques. You will participate in designing your experiments, and most importantly, you will learn how to critically evaluate your results and relate them to previously published research data.

The Sundström research group is located in the BioClinicum research facilities of the Karolinska University Hospital. We have a long-standing interest in disorders of the brain and spinal cord, with a particular focus on stem cells in the tissue and as treatment. We are now expanding our research into the field of tumors in the brain and spinal cord, in close collaboration with the Baryawno research group at the unit for childhood cancer and surgery, Dept of Women’s and Children’s Health. We are also working closely together with other research groups at Karolinska Institutet, SciLifeLab, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Stockholm University, forming a consortium on childhood diseases.

The Division of Neurogeriatrics consists of about 65 employees. The division conducts experimental and translational research related primarily to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, but also more general molecular mechanisms with biomedical relevance are studied.

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 .

For this position we are looking for a student with a master degree in biology/medicine, preferably with a focus on neurobiology and/or cancer. It is advantageous but not required to have documented experience in immunofluorescence microscopy, cell culture, flow cytometry/FACS, gene expression analysis (RNA-sequencing, Spatial transcriptomics/Visium etc.), molecular cloning (plasmid design, gene editing, CRISPR screening etc.), bioinformatic analysis and/or small animal surgery. A certificate of approved FELASA education is considered a merit. If you got your master degree more than 3 years ago, it is a merit if you worked with medical/biological/biochemical research and development after your master. You must have good communication skills in English as well as collaborative skills to allow you to work closely with other PhD students and post-docs.

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. 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.

For more details of the main supervisor Dr. Xiaofei Li, and co-supervisor Dr. Erik Sundström, please see the links below

https://ki.se/en/people/xiaofei-li#publications

https://ki.se/en/people/erik-sundstrom