Doctoral (PhD) student position in applied mathematics and medical bioinformatics

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 position is situated in Joakim Dahlin’s team at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Solna. Due to the highly interdisciplinary nature of the project and the position (applied mathematics); the successful candidate will also be an integral part of Johan Karlsson’s group at KTH the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.

Dahlin’s team is working at the interface between experimental and computational medicine to chart blood cell development at the single-cell level. This is performed using state-of-the-art single-cell omics technologies. The current team consists of the principal investigator, three experimental scientists (two doctoral students and one postdoc), and one bioinformatician (doctoral student).

Karlsson’s group is at the division of Optimization and Systems Theory at the Department of mathematics, KTH. Currently a large focus of the group is to develop methods based on optimal transport for addressing problems in signal processing, control theory, and estimation.

By developing new methods in the field of applied mathematics, the project aims to gain new insights into the formation of blood cells in health and disease. One specific problem aims to chart the gene and protein expression changes when stem cells develop into the various mature blood cell types.

The doctoral project focuses on method development, where framework from optimal transport, optimization and machine learning will be used to chart cell development at the single-cell level. The work also includes application of existing methods to publicly available datasets and custom-made datasets generated within the lab.

The research is performed in an interdisciplinary setting with close collaboration with mathematicians as well as experimental and computational scientists - both nationally and internationally.

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 .

A degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, or equivalent is required for the position.

A strong motivation to develop mathematical tools for biological and medical applications is required.

Knowledge and demonstrated understanding in optimization, machine learning, and in a computational software (such as Python) is meriting.

The successful applicant can independently pursue its work, but also show skills to cooperate within a team. The candidate is organized, curious, and shows ability to analyse complex problems with an open-minded approach

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

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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.

The employment will be at the Department of Medicine, Solna. The Department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group of assistant professor Joakim Dahlin. Dahlin’s group belongs to the Division of Immunology and Allergy. The project is performed in collaboration with Johan Karlsson at KTH The Royal Institute of Technology.