Doctoral (PhD) student position in Functional Genomics/Regulatory Transcriptomics

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 research group of Dr Claudia Kutter opens a doctoral (PhD) student position (computational/experimental) in the field of RNA biology, functional genomics and regulatory transcriptomics. The Kutter lab is at the forefront in deciphering molecular mechanism by which RNAs (i.e. long noncoding, transfer and small RNA) regulate genes and genome structure in both health and diseases (Sommerauer et al. MSB 2024, Geng et al. LSA 2024, Geng et al. Genome Research 2022, Søndergaard et al. Gut, 2022, Gao et al. Genome Research 2022). The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary and collaborative research team active within the fields of chromatin and RNA biology, genomics and transcriptomics, and CRISPR technologies. Frequent courses are provided on campus. Additional professional training is available through PhD courses, summer schools and workshops.

The laboratory is located at SciLifeLab on the Karolinska Institute campus in Stockholm. SciLifeLab offers an attractive research environment, provides state-of-the-art instrumentation and core facilities, and is home to the second largest sequencing cluster in Europe. SciLifeLab is a joint effort between Karolinska Institute, the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University. It hosts research groups with diverse backgrounds and expertise, creating a unique interface between basic biology, multiomic approaches, and translational medicine.

The Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet conducts research and teaching within immunology, infection biology, cell biology and cancer. MTC have about 40 research groups and our key words are multidisciplinary, bridging, national and international collaborations.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

As a member of the Kutter lab, the successful applicant will apply, optimize and integrate novel transcriptome-wide approaches (based on bulk and single cell RNA-sequencing and epigenome profiling data) to study gene regulation and RNA processing in development and diseases using data obtained from mouse and patients. The post holder will take a strong lead in the project design and management as well as data generation, analyses and interpretation, participate in the general duties of the team and collaborate with other team members. The applicant is expected to report the scientific results leading to scientific manuscripts, attending scientific meetings, and effectively communicate with peers. The ability to work in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment, and to engage in continuous professional development is a must. The student is highly encouraged to apply to the MedBioInfo school.

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

In addition to the above requirements for the position

• Awarded advanced/second-cycle/master qualification (i.e., master degree) in bioinformatics and/or applied biosciences
• Received training in both computational and experimental methods
• Enthusiastic and highly motivated with solid background in genomics, transcriptomics, molecular biology, genetics and/or biochemistry
• Proven experience in working with eukaryotic gene regulation, transcriptome-wide studies and in RNA biology
• Collaborative, scientifically adventurous, curiosity-driven, and should bring independent and original ideas into the project
• Ability to work with other scientist and good communication skills

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Prior knowledge in bioinformatics, Phyton and R programming for programming, statistical computing and graphics

 It is meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Any previous records of independent research as well as productive interactions within a multi-disciplinary team environment (e.g., first- and/or co-author publications in high profile journals)

Terms and conditions

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)

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.

https://ki.se/en/research/research-areas-centres-and-networks/research-groups/regulatory-transcriptomics-kutter-group

https://www.scilifelab.se/researchers/claudia-kutter/

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

1. Claudia Kutter, claudia.kutter@ki.se

1. Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, taher.darreh-shori@ki.se
2. Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-58582665
3. Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se