Doctoral student in Experimental Oncology

School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health at KTH

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Biotechnology

Cancer treatments have improved in recent years, but the mortality of cancer is still high. A major problem is the occurrence of relapses after treatment. It is important to reduce the risk of developing cancer (prevention) and to be able to detect recurrence early (sensitive screening method). The current project aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that influence the development of colorectal cancer, as well as to develop a new method for early detection of relapse. The project includes studying how cancer cells use the secretion of exosomes for communication with the tumor microenvironment as well as the development of an exosomal screening method. Part of the project is performed in collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, and exchange visits (of approximately 12 months in total) are planned.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who wants to be involved in developing methods that increase understanding of cancer development, improve cancer detection, and contribute to reducing the cancer burden.

Supervision: Cecilia Williams is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH
• To be part of the environment at SciLifeLab and collaborate with groups at Karolinska Institutet and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, including an exchange stay.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master’s degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

Suitable background for this position is a master’s degree in biotechnology or equivalent. Education in the subjects corresponding to genetic engineering, proteomics, and cell and molecular biology is required.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.
• ability (documented) to summarize research results in written and oral presentation in English.
• ability (documented) to perform experimental cancer research with relevant cell and molecular biological methods (such as cell culture, western blot, qPCR, and ChIP-seq, as well as related bioinformatics is advantageous).

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ‘ time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH’s website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section’s website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH’s recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here