项目介绍

2025年2月19日

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 student will be working and trained in Hong Qian’ group at the Center for hematology and Regeneratve Medicine (HERM), the Department of Medicine Huddinge.

The group aims to unravel the role of leukemic microenvironment/niche in the progression and drug response of myeloid leukemia including acute and chronic myeloid leukemia (AML and CML). The ultimate goal is to identify new niche- based therapeutic targets for better treatment outcome of the diseases. The group so far has been using both patients and mouse models and has identified a set of molecules that are dysregulated in leukemia niche. The main technologies used include multi-color flow cytometry, confocal imaging, lineage tracing, in vitro and in vivo stem cell assays including coculture and transplantation, as well as molecular tools such as RNA sequencing, digital PCR and single cell PCR.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The project will be focusing on evaluating the functional effects of several newly identified niche factors in AML(Xiao et al., Blood Adv., 2018a and 2018b; Cai, et al., Blood, 2022), a devastating disease with poor treatment outcomes. The doctoral project will be conducted under the main supervisor Hong Qian, co-supervisors Arnika Kathleen Wagner with expertise in immune cell regulation and therapy, and Muhammad Kashif with expertise in bioinformatics analysis including RNA sequencing and programing.

The student will have great opportunities to learn both theoretical knowledge and research methodologies. The student will learn to formulate the specific hypothesis within this project and test the hypothesis by using AML mouse models and patient samples in combination with commercially available recombinant peptides or CRISPR/C as9 gene-editing strategy under the supervision of the supervisors and in collaboration with experts/hematologists in the field.

In addition, the student will be expected to participate in other collaborated projects that are related to this project.

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 requirementYou 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 seeking a motivated, responsible and organized candidate. The applicant must be able to work flexibly and in a high-paced research environment. Good proficiency of spoken and written English, strong organizational skills, experience with mice, flow cytometry and cell culture, particularly, co-culture with mesenchymal stem cells, will be desired.

Eligible applicants should hold a degree of Master within Medicine, Biomedicine, Molecular Biology and translational research. Personal suitability will be a strong selection criterion.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.