Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?
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
Become part of Karolinska Institutet, one of the world’s leading medical universities, and contribute to the outstanding cardiology research at the Department of Medicine, Solna. The Cardiology Unit, including laboratories at BioClinicum, offers a dynamic and stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced technology, and unique patient cohorts. We conduct translational research with close daily interaction between junior and senior researchers in both experimental and clinical projects, together with molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, clinicians and dedicated research staff. The PhD studies will be performed within Team Shahim and Group Björck and the student will have an office space at the molecular laboratory located at BioClinicum, adjacent to the new Karolinska Hospital, enabling daily interaction with the supervisors, the experimental researchers, and clinicians.
The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) affects approximately 1 in 40 people and occurs when the mitral valve billows into the left atrium during systole. Although often benign, MVP is associated with mitral regurgitation requiring valve surgery, heart failure, and malignant ventricular arrhythmias that may cause sudden cardiac death. Important knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding arrhythmogenic mechanisms in MVP.
The overall aim of this doctoral project is to define the molecular mechanisms underlying arrhythmic risk in MVP, using endomyocardial biopsies and blood samples from patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation. The doctoral student will learn to handle, process, and store human samples for biobanking and to perform molecular techniques, including immunohistochemistry, microscopy, qPCR, and cell culture experiments. All techniques are established in the laboratory at BioClinicum, and the student will be trained by experienced lab members, particularly our lab technician. Spatial transcriptomics using the Visium HD platform (10x Genomics) will be performed at the SciLifeLab facilities and analysed by the student, in collaboration with a biostatistician, to define cellular composition and gene expression signatures associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Plasma proteomic and blood transcriptomic analyses will also be conducted.
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), or
- 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
- 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.
Skills and personal qualities
Required skills:
- The candidate should have a strong academic background in biomedicine, molecular biology, cell biology or bioinformatics, demonstrated by their previous academic transcripts.
- Past experience with one or several techniques within the scope of gene editing and manipulation (CRISPR-Cas9, siRNA, lentiviral transduction), flow cytometry, high-throughput omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics), in vitro mammalian cell culture or molecular biology techniques (qPCR, dPCR, Western blot, etc.) is a requirement for this role.
- The candidate should be fluent in English (written and spoken).
Desirable skills:
- Experience in bioinformatic data analysis as well as programming language knowledge (e.g. R, Python) will be looked upon favourably.
- Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.
Personal qualities:
You will work in a highly collaborative environment, engaging closely with molecular biologists, laboratory technicians, clinicians, fellow PhD students, and bioinformaticians. Your main responsibilities will include conducting experimental work followed by the analysis and interpretation of resulting data and manuscript writing. As this position involves close coordination across different disciplines and team members, we are looking for a candidate who values teamwork, communicates effectively, and contributes positively to a shared research culture. You will also take part in the collection and handling of surgical biopsies and are expected to perform all work with diligence, precision, and a strong sense of responsibility.
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.
Molecular and epidemiological studies of ascending aortic aneurysms – Research group Hanna Björck
Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all
Type of employment: PhD placement
Contract type: Full time
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100
City: Solna
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: STÖD 2-1454/2026
Contact: Bahira Shahim
Union representative: Louisa Cheung, SACO, Maria Eldh, OFR, Farzad Hedayaty, SACO-s
Published: 2026-04-09
Last application date: 2026-05-09