Doktorand - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases. Such chronic inflammation not only contributes to disease progression but also unfavorably affects target organs, including the brain and the lung. Our laboratory recently described a fundamental contribution of the bioactive phospholipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) to the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular diseases.

 The aim of the PhD thesis project is to explore the involvement of the S1P signaling axis in inflammatory responses and target organ damage in two prevalent cardiovascular diseases: hypertension and heart failure.

The candidate is expected to work with research animals.

Due to a number of international collaboration projects, the candidate is expected to go abroad for longer research visits with our partners overseas.

The PhD project involves laboratory work within the field of cardiovascular diseases research using animal models (e.g., hypertension, heart failure), cell and molecular biology, immunology, and biochemistry. The project is focused on identifying novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of hypertension and associated target organ damage (e.g., in the brain) and organ damage associated to heart failure with special emphasis on S1P signaling involved in immune-cell responses and tissue inflammation.

Methods used: standard molecular and biochemical methods such as, fluorescence activated cell sorting, Western blotting, histology and quantitative real-time PCR; mass spectrometry, animal surgery, cell culture; dissection of microvessels; behavioral testing; noninvasive imaging (MRI, PET)

Qualification:

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if he or she:

-has been awarded a second-cycle qualification (master’s degree), or

-has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were

awarded in the second cycle, or

-has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Additional requirements:

For the present position, an undergraduate or master's degree is required from medical, biomedical, chemistry biology, bioengineering or other relevant natural science or engineering education.

 Documented experience of laboratory work such as cell culture, animal work, vascular biology, cell and molecular biology techniques and immunological approaches.

 Knowledge of S1P biology and cardiovascular research is desired.

 Ability to work independently as assessed from undergraduate and master’s thesis experiments or discussion of science during the interview

 Good oral and written proficiency in English

 Good written and oral communication skills

 Ability to work well in a team

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.