Doctoral Position to the Unit of Metals and Health

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

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.

We are now recruiting a PhD student to study metal mixtures and their impact on child growth. You will work together with Associate Professors Maria Kippler and Emma Wincent. 

The research group

The mission at the unit Metals and Health is to identify toxic effects of metals in the general population and in the work environment, and to understand causal relationships of metal exposures with development and later life disease, and associated mechanisms of action. We work with both epidemiological and experimental studies and have a well-established trace element laboratory at the unit.

Your mission

The doctoral project builds on several ongoing projects and is centered upon identifying the impact of early-life exposure to metal mixtures on child growth and underlying molecular mechanisms. This will be done by combining epidemiological studies and experimental studies using zebrafish models. The expected starting date is in early January 2025. 

The doctoral student will be expected contribute to designing, performing, analysing, and interpreting epidemiology-based and experimental-based studies and different data layers arising from these, as well as to present results in scientific text. The student will be expected to present his or her results at national and international conferences and meetings and to discuss the research and results with the scientific community and with different groups in society. The student is also expected to participate in joint activities at IMM and the unit of Metals and Health, to contribute to teaching and to participate in doctoral courses and other learning activities at Karolinska Institutet.

The position is a full-time position for 4 years.

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.

Location: Solna

Metal toxicology – Maria Kippler's research group | Karolinska Institutet

Unit of Metals & Health

Institute of Environmental Medicine

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.

Your profile

We are looking for an ambitious, highly motivated individual with a background in toxicology at the master’s level or equivalent. Previous documented experience of statistical modelling using STATA and/or R as well as practical laboratory experience are required. It is meriting if the candidate has practical experience of working with trace element analysis and performing and interpreting different types of bioinformatics data and analyses. Further, experience working with zebrafish as an experimental model may be considered meritorious.  

Doctoral studies entail working independently toward long-term goals. The candidate is therefore required to be highly motivated, regarding both the scientific questions and research methods, be problem-solving oriented, organized and thorough, and be able to take initiatives. He or she should be able to work well within a multidisciplinary team and have good cooperation and communication skills. Good communication in English, both orally and in writing, is required.

Qualified to be employed as a PhD student is a candidate who has obtained a master’s degree latest at the start of the employment. Applicants who have not completed a master’s degree at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's master program director, study director or equivalent.  

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 in English or Swedish:

- 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)

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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.

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

1. Maria Kippler, Lektor | Docent, maria.kippler@ki.se
2. Emma Wincent, Senior Forskare | Docent, emma.wincent@ki.se