Doctoral (PhD) student position in cardiometabolic research

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

Are you eager to contribute to groundbreaking research in cardiometabolic diseases? The Hagberg (KI-web & Hagberglab) and Malin (KI-web) labs at Karolinska Institutet are seeking a PhD student to join our dynamic and collaborative research groups. As part of the Cardiovascular Medicine Division at the Department of Medicine, Solna, we focus on unravelling disease mechanisms using advanced mouse models, 3D cultures, and human samples. Our work has been featured in key publications, including DiNunzio et al, Nature Cardiovascular Research 2024, Grankvist et al, Nature Metabolism 2024, Ioannidou et al, J Physiol. 2022, Li et al, Nature Medicine 2021, Centa et al, Circulation 2019, and Hagberg et al, Nature 2012 & 2010. You will collaborate with a vibrant community of 55 researchers specializing in metabolism, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation, while engaging with international colleagues through Karolinska’s cardiometabolic network, which includes annual off-site meetings for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Our labs are based in the newly built BioClinicum research building, next to Karolinska Hospital, providing an inspiring environment for scientific innovation. The green campus also offers excellent amenities, including gyms, cafeterias, and infrastructure for networking and career development. Join us at Karolinska Institutet and take your research career to the next level!

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Our central question is understanding how an overload of lipids affects adipocytes, immune cells and other parachymal cells of tissues. This generously funded doctoral project will specifically address lipid-induced growth-related cellular stress in adipocytes and other cell types. Emphasis will be on intercellular crosstalk with endothelial cells, and studies will involve culturing 3D organoids and extensive metabolic, histological and pathological analysis of our novel mouse models. This is combined with scRNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, metabolic analyses (Seahorse, isotope-tracing), functional testing of lipid dynamics (lipolysis, lipid uptake), spatial transcriptomics, and flow cytometry of tissue-resident cells, together with bioinformatic analysis.

The PhD student should have good collaborative skills, be open to learning new things and working with different people and techniques, including an interest in working with genetically engineered animal models. The duties furthermore include collaboration with peers, documentation of experimental data, and communication of the results both within the group and to the greater research community, taking part in research meetings, helping out with common laboratory duties as well as contributing to a positive, energetic and innovative research environment.

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:

1. have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
2. 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
3. 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 student with a keen interest in physiology and molecular medicine and motivation to discover novel disease mechanisms. Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English are a must, as is the ability to work in a team consisting of different nationalities and personalities. We encourage individuals from all biological backgrounds to apply, particularly those with interests in Metabolism, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular disease and Molecular Biology. Experience in mouse work and bioinformatics would be advantageous. However, the most important qualities are curiosity, determination, and a positive problem-solving attitude.

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.

More information about the research groups and PIs can be found at the university homepages for the Hagberg and Malin labs, as well as on the external lab webpage www.Hagberglab.com

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

1. Carolina Hagberg, carolina.hagberg@ki.se

1. Maria Eldh, OFR, maria.eldh@ki.se
2. Louisa Cheung, SACO, Louisa.Cheung@ki.se
3. Farzad Hedayaty, SACO-s, farzad.hedayaty@ki.se