Doctoral student position in immunometabolism and functional HIV cure

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 The Systems Virology Lab and the Center for Systems Infection Biology at Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet sit at the forefront of understanding how viruses interact with the human host at a systems level. Integrating cutting-edge single-cell and spatial multi-omics approaches with advanced experimental models such as human organoids, the lab deciphers the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern viral pathogenesis, immune evasion, and disease progression. Our research spans a broad spectrum of clinically relevant viruses, with a particular focus on retroviruses and arboviruses, interrogating how host-virus dynamics shape outcomes across tissues. By combining computational systems biology with rigorous experimental virology, we translate complex biological data into mechanistic insights with direct relevance to therapeutic and diagnostic innovation. Based at one of the world’s leading medical universities, the lab fosters an international, collaborative, and intellectually ambitious environment where early-career scientists are empowered to develop as independent researchers and contribute to science that matters. The group coordinates and is involved in several EU projects and is supported by the Swedish Research Council and other funders. The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student The doctoral project Immunometabolism and metabolic engineering for a functional HIV cure (DC15), is part of the MERIT MSCA Doctoral Network at Karolinska Institutet, and contributes to Work Packages 1, 2, and 3. Extensive clinical studies from several cohorts of people living with HIV-1, together with immune phenotype fingerprinting of HIV-infected natural viral controllers, indicate a profound role of immunometabolism in natural immunity. Using a cohort of elite controllers, we have identified a novel immunometabolic strategy to eliminate persistent HIV reservoirs and improve immune cell function. This project aims to leverage our recent discovery of a druggable molecular network regulating a-ketoglutarate (AKG) homeostasis to develop a metabolically engineered HIV cure. Using advanced organoid systems, the doctoral student will investigate the mechanisms of metabolic alterations, focusing on AKG homeostasis in HIV persistence and latency reactivation. As DC15, your objectives are (1) to define the immunometabolic mechanisms that shape HIV-1 persistence within infected tissues; (2) to identify key microenvironmental determinants associated with HIV-1 persistence and cellular dysfunction, and (3) to evaluate host-directed metabolic strategies to disrupt HIV-1 persistence in physiologically relevant tissue and organoid models. You will be supervised by Dr. Iva Filipovic (main supervisor) and Dr. Ujjwal Neogi. Planned secondments within the MERIT network include super-resolution imaging with Prof. Balpreet Singh Ahluwalia (University of Oslo, Norway) and spatial omics with Prof. Rajkumar Savai (JLU, Germany). In addition, you will take part in MERIT-wide scientific meetings, workshops, transferable-skills training, and networking activities. 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 We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in virus-host interactions, molecular virology, immunology and cell biology. The applicant should have:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level)
• Additional MSCA Doctoral Network eligibility requirements: In addition to Karolinska Institutet's eligibility requirements for doctoral education, applicants must fulfil the eligibility conditions of the MSCA Doctoral Network. At the time of employment, applicants must not hold a doctoral degree and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the employment date.

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered particularly advantageous:

• Immunology, viral immunology and virus-host interaction studies
• Cell/organoid culture and advanced 3D culture systems
• Molecular biology, including next-generation sequencing-based approaches
• Flow cytometry
• Microscopy and/or advanced imaging methods
• Familiarity with transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, or other omics technologies, and knowledge of R programming

Personal qualities:

• A strong interest in virus-host interactions, immunometabolism, and emerging viral infections
• Enjoys working across disciplinary boundaries, combining experimental biology with advanced analytical approaches
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, able to work both independently and collaboratively
• A strong motivation to participate in an international, multidisciplinary research network

Personal suitability, motivation to undertake doctoral education, scientific curiosity and the ability to collaborate effectively will be important in the overall assessment. 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 and Euraxess. 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. The Systems Virology Lab – Ujjwal Neogi Center for Systems Infection Biology Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all