job description
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**Project Introduction**
Do you want to contribute to top-quality medical research? As a doctoral student, you will be placed in a research group and follow an individual study plan. Obtaining a doctoral degree corresponds to four years of full-time doctoral education.
**Research Team**
The Sheward research team utilizes state-of-the-art mRNA delivery techniques to develop and characterize next-generation vaccines aimed at providing protection against highly variable viruses (such as HIV and influenza) or preventing the next pandemic. The laboratory is located in Biomedicum at Karolinska Institutet Solna, within the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC). The department conducts research and teaching in immunology, infection biology, cell biology, and cancer. Keywords: multidisciplinary, bridging activities, national and international collaborations.
**Doctoral Student Project and Responsibilities**
In this project, the doctoral student will prepare experimental mRNA vaccines and evaluate them in mouse models. The main research focus is on the immune responses to vaccine ‘cocktails’, i.e., simultaneous or sequential delivery of multiple virus strains. The student must be self-motivated to drive project objectives forward, including conducting experiments, analyzing and integrating results, and presenting findings. In later stages, the student will take a leading role in designing new experiments and writing scientific papers. In addition, the student will participate in routine team activities, including supporting and guiding other team members. The ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary and international environments is highly important.
offer requirements
**Doctoral Education Entry Requirements**
Before the application deadline, the applicant must meet the following general (A) and specific (B) qualification requirements.
**A) General Qualification Requirements**
One of the following conditions must be met:
– Has obtained a second-cycle/advanced/master’s degree (i.e., master’s degree);
– Has completed at least 240 credits of coursework, of which at least 60 credits are at advanced/second-cycle/master’s level;
– Has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad in another way.
**B) Specific Qualification Requirements**
– English proficiency equivalent to the Swedish high school course English B / English 6.
**Skills and Personal Qualities**
– Must hold a master’s degree in immunology, infection biology, biotechnology, or a related field.
– Applicants must be proficient in English, with excellent written and oral communication skills.
– Ideal candidates hold a FELASA certificate and have animal handling experience.
– Experience working with RNA and/or lipid nanoparticles, or virus neutralization and experimental experience, is prioritized.
– Proficiency in ELISA, flow cytometry, mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, and molecular cloning techniques is prioritized.
**Application Documents Required**
The application must include the following documents:
– Personal statement letter and curriculum vitae (CV);
– Degree thesis and previous publications (if any);
– Other documents certifying the above ideal skills and personal qualities;
– Documents certifying general qualifications (see A);
– Documents certifying specific qualifications (see B).
**Selection Criteria**
Selection is based on the applicant’s potential to benefit from doctoral education. Overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications. The assessment is based on: documented subject knowledge relevant to the research field, analytical ability, and other demonstrated knowledge or experience relevant to doctoral studies in the subject.
offer benefits/salary
We offer an environment filled with professional knowledge and curiosity-driven creativity, an inspiring setting. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities, and our vision is to advance knowledge about life and promote human health for all. As a doctoral student, you will have an independent research project, excellent supervisors, a wide range of elective courses, and opportunities to work in leading research groups. The institute collaborates with globally renowned universities, providing international exchange opportunities. You will be employed in the form of a doctoral student scholarship and receive contractual salary. Employees can use modern fitness facilities free of charge and receive reimbursement for medical expenses. Doctoral students will be employed in the form of a doctoral student scholarship for a maximum of 4 years full-time.