Scholarship Summary
Karolinska Institutet is offering a Doctoral (PhD) student position in clinical cell manufacturing within the Department of Laboratory Medicine. This exciting opportunity focuses on developing a hospital-based CAR T cell treatment and conducting register-based studies to evaluate apheresis techniques for CAR T cell production. The project aims to translate innovative gene therapies into clinical testing, making a direct impact on patients. The successful candidate will join Assistant Professor Joel Nordin’s group and contribute to cutting-edge research in a leading medical university.
Designation
Doctoral (PhD) Student
Scholarship Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Employment | PhD placement |
| Contract Type | Full-time, up to 4 years |
| Number of Positions | 1 |
| Full-time Equivalent | 100% |
| Salary | Contractual salary based on KI’s salary scale for doctoral students |
| Benefits | Access to modern gym, reimbursements for medical care, individual research project, well-educated supervisor, vast range of elective courses, international exchange opportunities. |
Research Area
Clinical Cell Manufacturing and Gene Therapy
- Development of hospital-based CAR T cell treatments.
- Optimization of CAR T-cell production pipelines using non-viral, CRISPR-based knock-in methods.
- Functional evaluation of CAR constructs and knock-in sites in vitro.
- Refinement of processes to meet GMP standards and scale-up for clinical production.
- Translational research to bring novel nanoparticle systems and cell therapies into clinical testing.
- Register-based studies evaluating apheresis techniques for CAR T cell production.
Location
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huddinge Campus (Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine – BCM division).
Eligibility and Qualifications
General Eligibility Requirements for Doctoral Education (at latest by application deadline):
- Awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e., master’s degree), OR
- Satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded at the advanced/second-cycle/master level, OR
- Acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way (in Sweden or abroad).
Specific Eligibility Requirements:
- Proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.
- A Biomedical Scientist degree or license is required for this specific position.
Skills and Personal Qualities (Meritorious):
- Previous experience within Hospital-based production of ATMP products.
- Practical experience working in a clean room.
- Practical experience with cell manipulation in a clinical setting (e.g., for HSCT, CD34-selection).
- Practical experience working with the CliniMACS Prodigy from Miltenyi.
- Experience with electroporation of primary cells (e.g., MaxCyte system or similar).
- Analysis of knock-out and knock-in of genes in primary cells.
- Cultivation of primary immune cells.
- Experience with register-based data.
- Analysis of off-target editing after CRISPR manipulation of cells.
- Flow analysis of immune cell populations.
- In vitro potency assays for CAR T cells.
- Excellent proficiency in both spoken and written English.
- Energetic and passionate, able to actively contribute to the team.
Scholarship Description
The doctoral student will be part of Assistant Professor Joel Nordin’s research group, focusing on innovative gene therapies. The project involves developing an optimized CAR T-cell production pipeline for Karolinska University Hospital, utilizing non-viral, CRISPR-based knock-in methods. Key responsibilities include optimizing CAR constructs, functional evaluation, refining processes to GMP standards, and scaling up for clinical production, with the ultimate goal of translating these CAR T cells into clinical trials. Additionally, the student will conduct register-based studies to analyze parameters for successful CAR T products. The student will be supervised by Joel Nordin, Prof. Stephan Mielke, Prof. Matti Sällberg, and PhD Hannes Lindahl. The role includes participation in research activities, meetings, seminars, and fulfilling PhD program course requirements. Karolinska Institutet offers a creative, inspiring environment, a well-structured PhD program, and opportunities for international collaboration.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the provided ‘Login and apply’ button on the original job posting. Applications are preferred in English but can also be in Swedish.
Required Application Documents:
- A personal letter.
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Degree projects and previous publications (if any).
- Any other documentation showing desirable skills and personal qualities.
- Documents certifying general eligibility for doctoral education.
- Documents certifying specific eligibility for doctoral education.
Last Date for Application
23.Oct.2026
