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 The Kragesteen lab is using the natural experiment of Tibetan adaptation to high altitude hypoxia to decipher gene regulatory mechanisms of homeostasis and hypoxia resilience.
Central to Tibetan increased fitness are the Norn cells—a rare, fibroblast-like kidney cells that we recently discovered and molecularly defined as the exclusive source of erythropoietin (EPO), the hormone that controls red blood cells production and thereby systemic oxygen supply (Kragesteen et al, Nature Medicine 2023). As an experimental model system, the group is developing EPO producing kidney organoids and use mouse hypoxia models. We apply state of the art omic readouts and CRISPR to map and manipulate the oxygen-sensing circuitry to uncover fundamental principles of oxygen homeostasis.
The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student The overall aim of this ERC stg funded PhD project is to unravel the molecular logic of oxygen sensing through the lens of Norn cells and Tibetan hypoxia adaptation. You will use induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) of Tibetan ancestry to establish models of EPO producing kidney organoids to identify and perturb critical enhancers and transcription factors that govern oxygen sensing and hypoxia response at a cellular and multicellular level. This will establish a new framework for us to understand how genomes maintain systems oxygen levels and adapt to fluctuating environments and open new avenues for treating hypoxia-related diseases such as chronic kidney disease and anemia.
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: - have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or - 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 - 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 seek a curious, highly motivated and creative student with a background in evolution, gene regulation, and hypoxia physiology. The candidate should have a good team spirit and bring a keen interest in solving intricate scientific questions in gene regulation and oxygen homeostasis. Experience with iPSC and organoid culture, sc-omics, and hypoxia is a strength.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (in English written and verbal) is required. Emphasis will be also placed on personal suitability, fitting well into the current research group. Terms and conditions The position entails employment as a doctoral student for maximum 4 years on a full-time basis. 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.
KI applies a salary scale when setting salaries for doctoral students. Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics | Karolinska Institutet Oxygen homeostasis in development, evolution, and disease – Kragesteen's research group | Karolinska Institutet Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all
