Karolinska Institutet has a vacancy for a
Ph.D. Student in Nuclear Receptor Signalling and Metabolic Disease
Description of research group and project
A faculty-funded Ph.D. student position is available in the laboratory of Eckardt Treuter at the Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Center for Biosciences. The group has a long-standing and keen interest in characterizing the molecular and physiological aspects of nuclear receptor signalling in relation to human disease mechanisms. Recent emphasis is on the interplay between metabolism and inflammation, referred to as metaflammation, which has become a central topic in understanding and treating common metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis. For more information see recent publications (Molecular Cell 34, 2009; Genes & Development 24, 2010; Trends Endocrinol Metab 22, 2011; BBA 8, 2011) and http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?l=en&d=22596&a=84975.
The objective of the Ph.D. project is to characterize the anti-inflammatory actions of nuclear receptors implicated in lipid metabolism at the molecular and physiological level. Emphasis will be on metaflammatory disease pathways, on nuclear receptor modification by SUMO, and on liver-specific knockout mice that lack the anti-inflammatory mediator protein GPS2.
The Ph.D. student will apply modern molecular biology techniques (e.g. qPCR, chromatin-immunoprecipitation, ChIP-Seq, protein interaction and modification assays) in conjunction with metabolic and inflammatory treatments and measurements. The project requires handling of cell cultures, primary tissue cultures, and laboratory mice.
Eligibility and qualifications
We seek a highly motivated applicant with original thinking and team spirit. To qualify, the applicant must have a solid background in molecular cell biology, physiology, immunology, biomedicine or equivalent. Proven laboratory skills and international experience is a merit for this position, fluency in English is a requirement.
To be eligible, an applicant must
1. hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree
2. have completed course requirements of at least 240 HECs, of which at least 60 at second-cycle level, or
3. have otherwise acquired essentially equivalent competence in Sweden or abroad.
Selection is made of qualified applicants on the ground of their ability to benefit from doctoral (third-cycle) education. Karolinska Institutet applies the following assessment criteria:
- Documented subject knowledge of significance to the research project
- Analytical skills confirmed by a scientific dissertation or the equivalent
- Other documented knowledge/experience of potential significance to doctoral (third-cycle) education in the subject
An overall assessment of the applicants’ qualifications will be made.
The vacancy will be filled on condition that the successful applicant is admitted to doctoral (third-cycle) education. The Ph.D. position is planned to last for four years and is co-financed by a KID faculty grant. For further information on doctoral (third-cycle) education at Karolinska Institutet, see www.ki.se/doctoral.
Contact and inquiries
Eckardt Treuter, Professor
eckardt.treuter@ki.se
Phone +46-8-524 81060
Please send your application marked with reference number 0689/2012, to reach us no later than March 12, 2012, to Karolinska Institutet, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Att: Jessica Asplund, Novum, S-14183 Huddinge, Sweden. E-mail recruitment@bionut.ki.se
The following documents should be enclosed with your application in English or Swedish:
- Personal letter of introduction and motivation (max. 1 A4 page)
- Curriculum vitae and relevant qualifications
- Copy (PDF) of degree certificate and grades
- Copy (PDF) of degree dissertation and any previous publications
- Names and e-mail of two references (indicate your professional relationship)
The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in areas of medical science including molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, cellular virology, and nutrition. The department offers an international study and working environment, including about 300 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel. The Department is active within education programs for biomedicine, nutrition and public health.
http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=229&l=en
Karolinska Institutet is one of the world´s leading medical universities. Its mission is to contribute to the improvement of human health through research and education. Karolinska Institutet accounts for over 40 per cent of the medical academic research conducted in Sweden and offers the country´s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. Since 1901 the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has selected the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.
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