Doctoral student in Immunotechnology with focus on immuno-oncology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The PhD student position is within the research group of Assoc. Prof. Kristina Lundberg, who has a strong network of national and international collaborators among both basic science and clinical researchers. Kristina Lundberg is furthermore associated with CREATE Health, a Strategic Center for Translational Cancer Research (www.createhealth.lth.se) with a track record for rapid implementation of results from cancer research into clinical applications.

The research group is part of the Department of Immunotechnology with research spanning from advanced technology developments to biomedical research. Main research areas include immuno-oncology, sensibilization and biomarkers. Advanced technologies are employed within the department including genomics and transcriptomics, antibody development based on phage display, large-scale mass spectrometry-based proteomics and associated bioinformatics. The department is also responsible for several student courses and we offer high quality education at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Project description
Immuno-oncological treatment methods have revolutionized cancer therapy in recent years, based on the tremendous effects seen in some patient groups. The subject/research focus of this position is to develop novel cancer immuno-oncology therapies, mainly focused on targeting of T-cells and myeloid cells, in order to improve the efficacy and increase the response rate in cancer patients. Using flow cytometry for isolation of specific immune cells as well as analysis of RNAseq data will be central within the research projects. Depending on project progression, there will also be possibilities to perform research from target discovery, based e.g. on transcriptomic studies, to functional in vitro studies and beyond, using antibodies developed against identified targets.

Work duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, 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.

A person meets the specific admission requirements if the applicant has:

• at least 240 credits of relevance to the subject area, of which at least 60 credits from the second cycle and a specialised project of at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject or the equivalent, or
• an MSc in engineering or another relevant degree at the same level, within relevant area.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience of advanced multicolour (>10parameters) flow cytometry and using the technique for analysis as well as isolation of specific immune cell populations, including the ability to independently perform single-cell sort of specific cell populations into plates.
• Experience of preparing solid tumor tissue to single-cell solution for downstream analyses.
• Documented knowledge in bioinformatics and methods for multivariate analyses.
• Documented knowledge of analysing RNA sequencing data and experience of quantitative analysis of transcriptomic data. 
• Knowledge within the field of immuno-oncology, preferntially focused on myeloid cells and T-cells.
• Experience of programming in R for analysis purposes.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience from analysing experimental data using FlowJo, FCS Express, Graphpad Prism, Qlucore, Matlab and Metacore.
• Knowledge within the field of bladder cancer.
• Practical experience of tissue sectioning, staining of such tissue specimen and of subsequent analysis using fluoroscence microscope.
• Experience from working within pharmaceutical industry.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).