Doctoral student in Aerosol Technology with focus on inhaled particles and detection of lung disease - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Aerosol Science in Lund

The aerosol science at Lund University is interdisciplinary and conducted in collaboration between the Departments of Design Sciences, Physics and Medicine. Aerosol means a particle suspension in a gas or a mixture of gases. The most common aerosol is our ambient air. Particles in ambient air have a major impact on our health and environment by, for instance, transmission of viruses and harmful pollution. Particles can also be used for good purposes in medical applications and nanotechnology.

More information about the research group: https://www.eat.lth.se/english/research/airborne-particles-and-health. The aerosol research in Lund is also part of several multidisciplinary research networks, including CAST (www.cast.lth.se), NanoLund (https://www.nano.lu.se/), LURN (https://www.lurn.lu.se/) and Metalund (www.metalund.lu.se).

Inhaled particles and measurement of lung disease

Inhaled particles have many applications in medicine. They can be used to deliver drugs or vaccines to patients, but also in various methods to detect lung disease. Lung disease is one of the most common causes of death globally. At the same time, the lung is perhaps the most difficult part of the body to examine medically because technical aids are lacking or are too insensitive. Therefore, there is a large number of people with hidden lung disease, which delays treatment and causes premature deaths. Studying how inhaled aerosol particles deposit in the lung is important for understanding how the lung is affected when we breathe and paves the way for new technology to detect lung disease.

Work duties

The doctoral work focuses primarily on development of technology for using aerosol particles to examine people with lung disease. Among other things, we work with a method where airborne nanoparticles are used to identify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But other medical applications of inhaled airborne particles will also be included in the research. The tasks will include the development of methodology for detection of lung disease using nanoparticles, analysis of medical data from studies where inhaled aerosol particles are examined and calculations of how airborne particles deposit in the lungs.

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 tasks may also include participation in teaching and other institutional work (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 Aerosol Technology if the applicant has:

• at least 50 credits of relevance to the topic area, including at least 25 credits at advanced level, or
• engineering degree, master's degree or master's degree relevant to the topic area. Examples of relevant topic areas are physics, chemistry, nanoscience, environmental science/engineering, microbiology and medicine. 

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience of experimental work in laboratory (could be through courses)

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 planned PhD education 
2. Estimated ability to work independently as well as the ability to formulate and solve scientific problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills. 
4. Other experiences relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Other assessment criteria

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, skills in theoretical and experimental work, drive, independence and perseverance, and how the applicant, through her or his experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme. Knowledge of Swedish is an advantage, but not a requirement, as it facilitates communication with healthcare.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be employed as a PhD student. Third cycle studies at LTH are 4 years full time studies. In case of involvement in teaching and other departmental duties, employment can be extended correspondingly, however not longer than to 5 years of full time employment (which includes max 20% departmental duties). Employment of PhD student is subject to regulations given in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100). 

Instructions on how to apply

Apply online. 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, grade transcripts, two references with their contact information and other documents you wish to be considered (letters of recommendation, etc.).