PhD Student in H2020 EID STACCATTO, differentiation of stem cells in 3D - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Biotechnology

A call for 11 PhD positions (Early Stage Researchers [ESRs]) is open within the context of the recently granted European Industrial Doctorate project STACCATO - European Industrial Doctorate for enhancing upstream biopharmaceutical manufacturing process development through single cell analysis. STACCATO has been specifically designed to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity and leadership in biopharmaceutical manufacturing science by providing world-class intersectoral training to 11 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) and creating and applying pioneering manufacturing process development approaches for biopharmaceuticals. All recruited researchers will spend at least 18 months of their time at industry partners. The successful candidates will profit of an international scientific network of high profile industry and academic partners. All fellows will benefit from intersectorial secondments, individual and networkwide training modules, including transferable skills courses. For further information please go to www.staccato-eid.eu.

The main goal within this project is to use stem cell differentiation to develop cellular therapies for diabetes. Silk proteins have a unique propensity to assemble their chains in an ingenious way so that a material with favourable properties is formed. The research group of Hedhammar has recently developed a method for facile, efficient and quick integration of cells into 3D culture by the assembly of silk into a network of microfibers mimicking the natural extracellular matrix. The recombinant silk protein used for this procedure is functionalized with a cell adhesion motif from the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin, thereby supporting 3D culture of also more sensitive cells. Within this project, the silk assmebly method will be used to create defined microenvironments for efficient and controlled differentiation of stem cells into pancreatic progenitors suitable for drug screening and transplantation purposes.  

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
• Life-long network through KTH's Alumni organization.
• A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement.
• Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe´s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• Each ESR will be supervised by a Industry-Academia supervisory team consisting of at least one supervisor from each field. ESRs will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Early Stage Researchers http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/.

Eligibility

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 degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.
• The applicants should be in the first four years of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Mobility rule: applicants should not have resided or carried out main activity in the country of the host for more than 12 monthsin the 3 years prior to the recruitment date

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.
• Language skills: ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English.
• Previous experience of mammalian cell culture (preferably stem cells and differentiation thereof) and common molecular biology analyses.
• Interest in the field of diabetic research and bioinformatics

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may thereafter be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

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)
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

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

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.