Doctoral (PhD) student position in clinical cell manufacturing

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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 Department of Laboratory Medicine consists of 6 divisions and is active in many areas of Laboratory Medicine. The department is involved in advanced basic scientific, clinical, and epidemiological research. The department is one of the largest departments of education at Karolinska Institutet.

Division

The Department of Laboratory Medicine, located at the Huddinge Campus, is one of the Karolinska Institutet’s largest departments with 9 research divisions including the Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine (BCM), where the project will be carried out. 350 people are employed in the department, half of which are Ph.D. students. BCM provides the facilities needed for translational cell- and molecular biology research.

Our research efforts in the Nordin lab focuses on novel cell- and gene-therapy. Despite the unprecedented knowledge of diseases and their mechanisms due to advances in biomedical sciences; many promising therapeutic approaches are still clinically unavailable. The Nordin group develops innovative gene therapies for advanced applications. We aim to deliver macromolecules, such as CRISPR, siRNA, mRNA, etc., to cells in vivo as well as performing translational research and take novel nanoparticle systems and cell therapies into clinical testing, preferably by utilizing hospital based production of the cell therapies.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

We are seeking a highly motivated person to join the group of Assistant Professor Joel Nordin as a Ph.D. student to work on developing a hospital-based CAR T cell treatment and register based studies evaluating apheresis techniques for CAR T cell production. The project is supported by a BioLabX grant and only students with a Biomedical Scientist degree or license can apply for the position.

As a PhD student, you will be responsible for developing an optimized CAR T-cell production pipeline tailored to the clinical environment at Karolinska University Hospital. The CAR T cells will be produced ex vivo using non-viral, CRISPR-based knock-in methods.

You will optimize the CAR construct and knock-in site, followed by functional evaluation in vitro. Subsequently, the process will be refined to meet GMP standards and scaled up to clinical production levels.

The overarching goal is to translate these CAR T cells into a clinical trial as rapidly as possible, thereby making a direct impact on patients who currently lack access to CAR T-cell therapy. At the same time register based studies will be performed to analyze the parameters for a successful CAR T product.

In addition to the main supervisor Joel Nordin, the student will have three co-supervisors: Prof. Stephan Mielke, Prof. Matti Sällberg and PhD Hannes Lindahl. The successful candidate will take part in all research-related activities such as group meetings, departmental seminars, relevant international meetings, supervision of other students and researchers, if necessary, as well as contribute to common lab routines. Finally, the PhD student will work to fulfill the course requirements of the PhD program as outlined in the relevant rules and documentation available at the ki.se website.

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 requirement

You meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), orhave 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, orhave 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

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has previous experience within Hospital based production of ATMP productsPractical experience working in a clean room.Practical experience with cell manipulation in a clinical setting (such as for HSCT, CD34-selection)Practical experience working with the CliniMACS Prodigy from MiltenyiExperience with electroporation of primary cells, eg. the MaxCyte system or similarAnalysis of knock out of genes in primary cells, as well as knock in of genes in primary cellsCultivation of primary immune cellsIt is meritorious that the applicant has Experience with register-based dataAnalysis of off target editing after CRISPR manipulation of cellsFlow analysis of immune cell populationsIn vitro potency assays for CAR T cellsIn addition, excellent proficiency in both spoken and written English is important. We are looking for an energetic and passionate person who fits in, and actively contributes to our team.

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:

• 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)

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.

KI applies a salary scale when setting salaries for doctoral students.

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