Chrono
Join a cohort of 12 doctoral researchers in ChronoBridge, a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network. The programme connects biological clocks, physiology and metabolism through international collaboration.
Host and supervision
The position is supervised by Prof. Juleen Zierath in the Integrative Physiology research group at Karolinska Institutet. The group studies how insulin, exercise and molecular changes regulate metabolism, particularly in skeletal muscle, and investigates the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
You will receive regular supervision, advice from senior researchers, quarterly meetings with an independent advisor, an annual committee review and support from a non-academic mentor. A local co-supervisor will guide each research visit.
Research project
This WP2 project investigates how exercise timing influences muscle energy production. It focuses on AMPKγ3, an energy-sensing protein, and the pathways connecting exercise with daily mitochondrial function.
Your research will involve:
- Comparing responses to exercise at different times of day in control and genetically modified mouse models.
- Identifying proteins that regulate gene activity and mitochondrial metabolism.
- Testing how AMPKγ3 modifies these regulatory proteins and affects mitochondrial function.
- Examining selected mechanisms in human muscle cells from people with type 2 diabetes.
The project aims to explain how exercise timing affects metabolic rhythms and whether these mechanisms can help restore mitochondrial coordination.
Suggested profile
- Completed a Master’s degree, or equivalent, in physiology, molecular biology, metabolism, exercise science with relevant biological training, or a related discipline.
- Interest in skeletal muscle physiology, exercise, diabetes and cellular energy production. Previous laboratory or data-analysis experience is useful; specialist training will be provided.
- Scientific curiosity, critical thinking, careful research practice and enthusiasm for collaboration across Europe.
Skills you will develop
- Formulate hypotheses and design rigorous experiments or analyses.
- Interpret results critically and solve research problems.
- Write scientific papers and present findings clearly.
- Manage projects and collaborate across disciplines and countries.
- Apply research ethics and reproducible methods.
Planned research visits
Research visits to Helmholtz Munich and Université Paris Cité total approximately 2 months. They provide complementary methods, international collaboration and local supervision. See the ChronoBridge “Training & network” page for mobility information.
Allowance
This is a full-time position as a doctoral student.
Remuneration follows the recruiting institution’s applicable salary arrangements and MSCA funding requirements.
The grant supports eligible personal and family circumstances. Your employer will explain salary, allowances and deductions.
Eligibility
Candidates of any nationality may apply, provided they:
Do not hold a doctoral degree or have successfully defended a doctoral thesis at recruitment.
Meet Karolinska Institute's eligibility requirements for doctoral education. https://education.ki.se/doctoral-education/entry-requirements-to-doctoral-education-at-karolinska-institutet-ki
Have not lived or mainly worked or studied in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before recruitment, subject to defined exceptions.
Have professional English, with evidence assessed by the recruiting institution.
See “Who can Apply?” on the ChronoBridge “How to Apply” page for the detailed criteria and exceptions.
Network training
You will benefit from at least 100 hours of scientific and transferable-skills training, three years of Nature Masterclasses access, network congresses, workshops, online clubs and an individual career-development plan. The programme offers connections with academic, industry and clinical partners. See “Training & network” for the full programme and practical arrangements.