Applications are invited for a fully funded Doctoral student position in hormone sensing between biophysics and biotechnology at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Engineering Sciences. This interdisciplinary research project is funded by KTH InspireLab and carried out in collaboration between AlbaNova and SciLifeLab in Stockholm, Sweden.
Overview Table
| Designation | Doctoral Student (PhD Candidate) |
|---|---|
| Institution | KTH Royal Institute of Technology |
| Department | School of Engineering Sciences |
| Research Area | Applied Physics / Biotechnology |
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Employment Type | Full-time, Temporary (Up to 4 years) |
| Application Deadline | November 19, 2026 |
Designation
Doctoral Student in Applied Physics or Biotechnology.
Research Area
The research is situated at the intersection of biophysics, optical physics, and biotechnology. The doctoral candidate will be part of the Hormones Project, aiming to build an affordable optical platform capable of measuring six hormones in urine daily from home. Responsibilities include preparing and characterising urine samples, validating results against standard clinical laboratory protocols, and testing/designing the optical detection apparatus.
Location
Stockholm, Sweden (jointly situated at AlbaNova University Center and Science for Life Laboratory – SciLifeLab).
Scholarship / Position Description
Hormones regulate metabolism, fertility, sleep, and mood, but standard monitoring is largely confined to infrequent clinical blood tests. In this project, supervised jointly by Carlota Canalias, Michael Fokine, and Cecilia Williams, the doctoral candidate will bridge physical sensor development with biological validation.
As an employed doctoral student at KTH, you will receive:
- A monthly salary aligned with the KTH Doctoral student collective salary agreement.
- Comprehensive Swedish employee benefits, including paid vacation, health care contributions, and social security.
- Employment contract for an initial period of one year, extendable up to a total of four years of full-time doctoral studies.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants must satisfy the general and specific admission criteria for third-cycle (doctoral) education in Sweden:
- Academic Degree: A completed master’s degree (second-cycle qualification) or completion of at least 240 higher education credits (ECTS), of which a minimum of 60 credits are at the advanced (master’s) level, in biophysics, biotechnology, biomedicine, physics, or an equivalent relevant discipline.
- Language Proficiency: Demonstrated English language proficiency equivalent to English B/6 level in the Swedish educational system.
- Meritorious Skills: Practical laboratory experience with optical, spectroscopic, bioanalytical, or biophysical methods; experience working in multidisciplinary scientific teams; and an analytical, collaborative, and persevering approach to problem-solving.
- Perspective on Equality: Understanding of gender equality and diversity aspects within science and technology research.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit their application online through KTH’s Varbi recruitment portal. Applications must be written in English or Swedish and include the following documents in PDF format:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailing professional background, academic qualifications, and technical knowledge.
- Degree Certificates and Transcripts: Certified copies of previous university diplomas, academic records, and proof of required English proficiency (with authorized translations if originals are not in English or Swedish).
- Cover Letter / Application Letter: A statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining your research interests, motivation for pursuing a PhD, and how your past studies align with this project.
- Gender Equality Statement: A brief statement (maximum 1 page) regarding your perspective and vision on gender equality in technology and research.
- Scientific Work: A copy of your master’s thesis (or equivalent degree project) and representative publications or technical reports (provide an abstract and full-text link if documents are excessively large).
Last Date for Apply
The closing date for applications is November 19, 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST.
Apply Link
To view the full announcement and submit your digital application, please visit the official application portal: Apply for Doctoral Student Position at KTH.
