Doctoral student in Immunotechnology with focus on immunooncology and psychological resilience - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Vacancy announcement for doctoral studentship within the Lund University Agenda 2030 Graduate School

About the graduate school
The 2030 Agenda is the framework for sustainable development that the world’s nations have signed to end extreme poverty, reduce inequalities, solve the climate crisis, promote peace and equity and much more. In order to achieve the goals, research has several important roles: to identify challenges and conflicting objectives, contribute new solutions, generate dialogue and learning between different societal stakeholders and critically analyse the goals. Lund University aspires to be a part of the solution and has therefore started a graduate school focusing on societal challenges, sustainability issues and the 2030 Agenda. We now welcome to the graduate school applicants from various disciplinary backgrounds who want to take an active role in 2030 Agenda research. The graduate school offers a unique opportunity to gain interdisciplinary perspectives on global challenges and contribute to current research while deepening your subject knowledge.

You will be associated with a specific research studies programme, and simultaneously take part in the university-wide interdisciplinary research studies courses, developed on the basis of the issues defined by the global goals. The courses provide great potential to develop new forms of collaboration and work for change across disciplinary boundaries. Besides the research studies courses, you will participate in several activities linked to the graduate school in order to take an active part in the global sustainability agenda and to advance the research front on issues concerning the 2030 Agenda, for example through seminars, conferences, study trips and collaboration with various societal stakeholders.

The application processes and general qualification requirements for the relevant doctoral studentship can differ depending on the faculty and department responsible for the position. A common requirement for all applicants is to present a research project with a clear connection to the 2030Agenda. All project ideas are welcome, but applicants should take 2030 Agenda’s holistic approach as a starting point rather than focusing on individual sustainability goals. More information on the graduate school is available here: https://www.sustainability.lu.se/education/agenda-2030-graduate-school

The position will be located at the Department of Immunotechnology (www.immun.lth.se) at Medicon Village in Lund and be part of CREATE Health (www.createhealth.lth.se) and Lund University's Cancer Center (www.lucc.lu.se). The project is carried out in collaboration with Skåne University Hospital (SUS), the Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Project description
The project aims to deepen the understanding of the link between symptoms, psychological resilience and molecular factors in patients with chronic skin cancer. The project is linked to the BIO-MUSE clinical study recently started at Skåne University Hospital, where the focus is on identifying new clinically relevant markers for improved treatment choices for patients with T-cell lymphoma in the skin. New research shows that psychological resilience can have an indirect impact on tumor development as the immune system is affected by mental stress. Thus, the interplay between molecular and psychological factors need to be studied.

Work duties
The crucial questions to be answered in the project are whether there is a correlation between clinical progression, perceived symptoms/psychological resilience and molecular profiles in the tumor-immune microenvironment. The project uses completely new technology, and the established SpatialOmics@LU infrastructure (www.lth.se/spatialomicslu), to generate unique molecular information about cellular interactions between the tumor and the immune system. Different aspects of patients' quality of life and resilience are measured by questionnaires/interviews.

The work assignments include cell biology and molecular biology work with cell sorting, tissue analyses and bioinformatics where different types of clinical and biological data are correlated.

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 for third cycle studies in Immunotechnology if the applicant has:

• At least 240 credits with relevance for the specific subject, with at least 60 credits in the second cycle, including a project of 30 credits in the second cycle with relevance for the subject, or similar, or
• Master in Engineering or other education at equal levels with relevance for the subject

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish
• Extensive pratical experience in cell biology laboratory work

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.

Additonal merits:

• Education/knowledge in immunology
• Practical experience with cell sorting
• Practical experience in image analyses/fluorescent microscopy
• Practical experience in bioinformatic analyses (such as R or similar)
• Documented multidisciplinary interest/experience

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 (500-750 words) stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in which way the Agenda 2030 research school, cross-disciplinarity, and the specific research project match 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.).