Doctoral student in Immunotechnology with a focus on antibody-related omics data and bioinformatics, and the role of antibodies in allergic disease - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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.

Work duties
The position’s research focus is within antibody research, specifically within Antibodyomics with a particular focal point on studies of antibody repertoires and studies of the role of antibodies in allergic disease. The candidate will be actively engaged within the Molecular Evolution research team. This environment is devoted to a diversity of actions related to development of our understanding of antibodies and their development, and use the potential of antibody technology, antibody engineering, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics, cell culture, and immunochemical analysis to address unmet medical needs.

The candidate will be actively engaged in generating transcriptomic (next generation sequencing incl. single cell sequencing) and proteomic (mass spectrometry) data describing human antibodies with a focus on allergic disease. Bioinformatic analysis of such data describing antibody repertoires will be a core activity. Furthermore, genetic and protein engineering as well as immunological and immunochemical analysis with a focus on studies of the role of antibodies in human allergic disease will be a major aspect of the doctoral programme.

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 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.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• To have completed an independent research project (such as an MSc thesis project or similar assignment) within the field of immunology, immunotechnology, and/or bioinformatics.
• Willingness to engage in experimental as well as computational research.

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:

• Documented experience with the use of R and Python.
• Documented, experimental experience in the fields of genetic engineering and protein technology (protein production, purification and characterization).
• Documented, experimental experience of immunochemical assay technologies.
• Documented, experimental experience with mammalian cell culture and flow cytometry.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through the applicants 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.).