*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 Immunometabolic Engineering for Next-Generation Alphavirus Therapeutics (DC12) is part of the MERIT MSCA Doctoral Network at Karolinska Institutet.
Alphaviruses, including chikungunya virus (CHIKV), cause acute disease and often persistent, debilitating musculoskeletal symptoms, yet no specific antiviral therapies are available. These viruses reprogram host-cell metabolism to support replication while disrupting immune and inflammatory responses. This doctoral project combines human iPSC-derived models, multi-omics, metabolic modelling, advanced imaging, and organoids to define alphavirus-induced immunometabolic changes and identify novel host-directed therapies.
As DC12, you will investigate how alphavirus infection reshapes cellular metabolism and immune responses, and determine whether these changes can be therapeutically exploited. Your objectives are (1) to define the temporal immunopathogenesis of alphavirus infection in iPSC-derived macrophages, identifying dynamic changes in cellular metabolism, antiviral responses, and inflammatory signalling during infection; (2) to identify actionable host-directed therapeutic targets by integrating experimental multi-omics data with computational and genome-scale metabolic modelling approaches; and (3) to validate prioritized therapeutic targets in human neuronal organoid models, evaluating their potential to restrict viral infection and protect tissue function. The project provides training at the interface of virology, immunometabolism, stem-cell biology, organoid technology, systems biology, advanced microscopy, and computational modelling.
You will be supervised by Dr. Ujjwal Neogi (main supervisor) and Dr. Iva Filipovic. Planned secondments within the MERIT network include advanced and super-resolution microscopy with Prof. Balpreet Singh Ahluwalia (University of Oslo, Norway) and human neuronal organoid models with Dr. Adithya Sridhar (Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands). 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:
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:
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:
Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered particularly advantageous:
Personal qualities:
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*
