The Department of Neurobiology,
care sciences and society comprises 11 divisions and has at about 450
employees. The NVS-department is located at KI Campus-Huddinge. The
Department is responsible for education at basic and advanced levels,
research education and clinical and experimental research within the
different areas represented by the divisions.
A doctoral position is an available doctoral education project to
which a PhD student is to be recruited. After the selection process the
process for admission to doctoral education will commence. An admission
decision will not be taken until an individual study plan has been
approved by the departmental admission board.
For more information regarding doctoral (PhD) education, see: http://www.ki.se/doctoral.
Research group The research group of Professor Marianne Schultzberg is localized within the Geriatrics Laboratories in the Novum building at KI Campus Huddinge, and organizationally within the Division of Neurodegeneration at the NVS Department. The NVS department houses research groups that conduct spearheading research into neurodegenerative disorders. The research group of Prof. Marianne Schultzberg conducts preclinical research focused on disease mechanisms and drug targets, as well as on biomarkers and molecular pathology in clinical material. Her main research focus is the role of inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and how this can be modulated into providing a restorative and neurotrophic force that can prevent or stop the pathogenesis of AD.
The doctoral education project and the duties of the student Description of the projectDementia in the form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is costly in terms of human suffering and healthcare expenses. Since no cure or effective treatment exists, research efforts focused on finding new pathogenic mechanisms and treatment targets are highly motivated. It is well established that the neurodegeneration in the AD brain is accompanied by an inflammatory process that appears to be chronic and to contribute to the neuronal injury and impairment that is the primary cause of the cognitive impairment.
The mechanisms of restoration/healing after an injury are still poorly understood, and even less is known with regard to the central nervous system. While it may not be possible to reach the more or less complete restoration of tissue that can be seen in non-nervous tissue, the activities and signals related to restoration are also present in the brain. A novel strategy for treating AD is to stimulate restoration and thus remove the neurotoxic b-amyloid peptide, while at the same time increasing protective and trophic signalling. The involvement of inflammation in tissue healing has been known for a long time, but it is only in recent years that the mechanisms and mediators that promote restoration have begun to emerge. Healing occurs in the final stage of inflammation, the resolution phase, when the inflammation is halted while emitting signals that promote the return to homeostasis and normal function. This is accomplished by phagocytosis of molecular and cellular debris, and increased trophic activity. A family of fatty acids, so called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), has been discovered to play a vital role in resolving inflammation and tissue restoration. The pathway of SPMs constitutes a potential target for treating AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. The project will involve 1) exploration of the beneficial and neuroprotective effects of SPMs in in vitro models of AD, as well as characterising the intracellular mechanisms of these activities, and 2) testing the possibility of using SPMs to stop or ameliorate the cognitive decline that occurs in a transgenic mouse model of AD.
Research group The research group of Professor Marianne Schultzberg is localized within the Geriatrics Laboratories in the Novum building at KI Campus Huddinge, and organizationally within the Division of Neurodegeneration at the NVS Department. The NVS department houses research groups that conduct spearheading research into neurodegenerative disorders. The research group of Prof. Marianne Schultzberg conducts preclinical research focused on disease mechanisms and drug targets, as well as on biomarkers and molecular pathology in clinical material. Her main research focus is the role of inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and how this can be modulated into providing a restorative and neurotrophic force that can prevent or stop the pathogenesis of AD.
The doctoral education project and the duties of the student Description of the projectDementia in the form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is costly in terms of human suffering and healthcare expenses. Since no cure or effective treatment exists, research efforts focused on finding new pathogenic mechanisms and treatment targets are highly motivated. It is well established that the neurodegeneration in the AD brain is accompanied by an inflammatory process that appears to be chronic and to contribute to the neuronal injury and impairment that is the primary cause of the cognitive impairment.
The mechanisms of restoration/healing after an injury are still poorly understood, and even less is known with regard to the central nervous system. While it may not be possible to reach the more or less complete restoration of tissue that can be seen in non-nervous tissue, the activities and signals related to restoration are also present in the brain. A novel strategy for treating AD is to stimulate restoration and thus remove the neurotoxic b-amyloid peptide, while at the same time increasing protective and trophic signalling. The involvement of inflammation in tissue healing has been known for a long time, but it is only in recent years that the mechanisms and mediators that promote restoration have begun to emerge. Healing occurs in the final stage of inflammation, the resolution phase, when the inflammation is halted while emitting signals that promote the return to homeostasis and normal function. This is accomplished by phagocytosis of molecular and cellular debris, and increased trophic activity. A family of fatty acids, so called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), has been discovered to play a vital role in resolving inflammation and tissue restoration. The pathway of SPMs constitutes a potential target for treating AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. The project will involve 1) exploration of the beneficial and neuroprotective effects of SPMs in in vitro models of AD, as well as characterising the intracellular mechanisms of these activities, and 2) testing the possibility of using SPMs to stop or ameliorate the cognitive decline that occurs in a transgenic mouse model of AD.
Desired skills and experience
Expectations for the doctoral studentThe
applicant is expected to have a degree in medicine, veterinary
medicine, biochemistry, biomedicine, pharmacy, or similar topic. Since
the subject of the project is novel and innovative the research work
will be explorative as well as hypothesis-testing, and will span a wide
range of types of experiments and laboratory methods. An ability to
develop an understanding of the complex interaction between neurobiology
and immunology will be required. Therefore, the applicant is required
to have a strong drive to pursue experimental research and learn new
subjects, with great ambition and an innovative attitude. The project is
translational and performed in collaboration with other research groups
and good communicative skills together with a good command of the
English language are necessary. Emphasis will be put on laboratory
practical skills and personal attitude in the evaluation process.
Furthermore, experience with animal behavioural experiments, or having
attended courses on this subject is valued.
Entry requirements for doctoral education at KI To be eligible for doctoral education following requirements has to be met:
General entry requirementsA person meets the general entry requirements for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education (according to Higher Education Ordinance Chapt 7, section 39) if he/she:
Proficiency in the English language can be documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or IELTS, see web-link below for more information.
Applicants who meet the general entry requirements (1 or 2 above) from a university in one of the Nordic countries fulfill the requirements in English.
For more information regarding general and specific entry requirements: http://ki.se/en/education/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education
Entry requirements for doctoral education at KI To be eligible for doctoral education following requirements has to be met:
General entry requirementsA person meets the general entry requirements for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education (according to Higher Education Ordinance Chapt 7, section 39) if he/she:
- has been awarded advanced/second-cycle/master qualification (i.e. master degree) or
- has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle/master level, or
- has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
Proficiency in the English language can be documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or IELTS, see web-link below for more information.
Applicants who meet the general entry requirements (1 or 2 above) from a university in one of the Nordic countries fulfill the requirements in English.
For more information regarding general and specific entry requirements: http://ki.se/en/education/entry-requirements-eligibility-for-doctoral-education
About the employer
Assessment criteria
A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. 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
The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.
Terms and conditionsThe most common way of financial support for doctoral students at KI is doctoral grant the first year and a doctoral studentship (doctoral employment) for year 2, 3 and 4. During the time between recruitment and admission a short-term employment can be offered for up to 6 months.
Application process An application must contain the following documents in Swedish or English:
A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. 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
The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.
Terms and conditionsThe most common way of financial support for doctoral students at KI is doctoral grant the first year and a doctoral studentship (doctoral employment) for year 2, 3 and 4. During the time between recruitment and admission a short-term employment can be offered for up to 6 months.
Application process An application must contain the following documents in Swedish or English:
- A personal letter and curriculum vitae
- A copy of degree certificates and associated certificates
- A copy of degree projects and any previous publications
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.
Pursuant to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, applications are kept on file for two years after the appointment has gained legal force. The regulations do not apply to attachments that have been printed or otherwise published.
Karolinska Institutet strives to provide a workplace that has approximately the same number of women and men, is free of discrimination and offers equal opportunity to everyone.
For temp agencies and recruiters, and to salespersons: We politely, yet firmly, decline direct contact with temp agencies and recruiters, as well as those selling additional job announcements.
Pursuant to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, applications are kept on file for two years after the appointment has gained legal force. The regulations do not apply to attachments that have been printed or otherwise published.
Karolinska Institutet strives to provide a workplace that has approximately the same number of women and men, is free of discrimination and offers equal opportunity to everyone.
For temp agencies and recruiters, and to salespersons: We politely, yet firmly, decline direct contact with temp agencies and recruiters, as well as those selling additional job announcements.
Type of employment PhD placement
Working hours Full time
Reference number 2-3130/2015
Contact
- Marianne Schultzberg, Professor, +46 (0) 8-585 838 89, marianne.schultzberg@ki.se
- Carina Dahlin, OFR , 08-524 836 92
- Mathilde Hedlund Lindberg, SACO, 08-524 839 21, mathilde.hedlund-lindberg@ki.se
- Gunnar Stenberg, SEKO, 08-524 880 75
Last application date 25.Oct.2015 11:59 PM CET
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