Doctoral students in Immunotechnology with focus on PTM Proteomics or Clinical Proteomics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Magnus Jakobssons’ research group at the Department of Immunotechnology, develops and uses advanced mass spectrometry to answer clinical and molecular biology questions. The group is now recruiting doctoral students for two independent projects.

The position will be located at the Department of Immunotechnology (www.immun.lth.se) at Medicon Village in Lund and will be associated with CREATE Health (www.createhealth.lth.se) and Lund University's cancer centre (www.lucc.lu.se), and be closely linked to the infrastructure Proteoforms@LU (https://www.immun.lth.se/infrastructure/proteoformslu/). The projects in Jakobsson's research group are carried out in close collaboration with researchers at other faculties and universities, as well as companies. On-going research projects are supported by The Crafoord Foundation, Gunnar Nilssons Cancer Foundation, Fru Berta Kamprads Foundation, Stiftelsen Cancera, Mats Paulssons Foundation, as well as the Swedish Research Council.

Work duties
Magnus Jakobsson research group strives to i) establish new knowledge about cancer-related molecular biological processes and to ii) develop new tools for enhanced diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer (OvCa). The projects use advanced mass spectrometry to answer clinical and molecular biology questions, and the group is now recruiting two doctoral students for two independent projects.

Please note in the application which project(s) you are interested in.

Project I: Novel workflows for mass spectrometry-based analysis of post-translational modifications (PTM).

Description: Proteins are often regulated by so-called post-translational modifications (PTM). PTMs are dynamic and regulate e.g. gene expression and signaling (communication) between cells. PTMs determine the function of proteins and represent an under-explored research field which is expected to play a key role in future precision medicine and cancer treatment. The project includes the establishment and application of new workflows for PTM proteomics and practical work with a wide range of molecular biology techniques, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics.

Project II: Clinical proteomics to comprehend and enhance diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer (OvCa).

Description: Ovarian cancer (OvCa) affects 1-2% of women and is linked to high mortality. To understand the disease, preclinical models (stable OvCa cell lines) will be evaluated using a spectrum of omics techniques, which include proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and genomics. These assays are expected to reveal dysregulated pathways in OvCa cells. Drugs (inhibitors) against these pathways can be evaluated in relevant preclinical models for effect on cancer phenotype hallmarks, such as programmed suicide (apoptosis) and cell growth (proliferation). The project may also include selection and characterization of recombinant antibodies towards novel OvCa biomarkers.

The tasks include molecular biological work such as culture and analysis of cells. A significant part of the work is expected to constitute laboratory work and experiments that are evaluated with mass spectrometry, as well as bioinformatics interpretation and presentation of corresponding data. The employed candidates will be trained in all relevant methods.

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:

• 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 Immune Technology 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

Other requirements

• Very good knowledge of English, speech and writing.
• Practical experience in at least one of the following: cell biological work, protein chemistry, proteomics or bioinformatics.

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 dissertation and the subject.
2. Assessed ability to work independently and ability to formulate and tackle scientific problems.
3. Ability for written and oral communication.
4. Other experiences relevant to the third-cycle studies, eg professional experience. 

Other assessment criteria:

• Practical experience of mass spectrometry
• Practical programming experience (use of R, Python or similar)
• Documented scientific interest / experience

Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, drive and independence, as well as how the applicant, through his or her experience and competence, is judged to have the ability needed to pass the doctoral program.

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 §§. We intend to employ 2 doctoral students.

Instructions on how to apply
The application must be written in English and contain a personal letter (500-750 words) with motivation as to why you are interested in the position and how the specific research project (Project I and / or II) matches your interests and / or your educational background. The application must also contain a CV, diploma or equivalent and other things that you wish to invoke (copies of grades, contact information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).