Post-Doctoral Position in Lung Transplant Immunology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Research group

The Lindstedt group is led by Professor Sandra Lindstedt, a senior consultant in thoracic surgery specializing in heart and lung transplantation, with a long-standing interest in lung transplantation related research, post-transplant complications and lung regeneration.

The Lindstedt group has created ex vivo human models and in vivo and ex vivo porcine models of lung injuries such as ARDS, the broad category of respiratory disease for severe COVID-19 patients. The Lindstedt group are currently working to develop mesenchymal stromal cell therapies within these models.

https://www.stemcellcenter.lu.se/research-groups/lindstedt

Work duties

An exciting post-doctoral position is available for a highly motivated Ph.D. graduate. The successful candidate will join a vibrant translational research collaboration between the Unit of Cardiothoracic Transplantation, Lund University Hospital, Lund Stem Cell Center, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Department of Clinical Medical Science, Lund University, and pharmaceutical industry partners.

The research to be conducted concerns innovative explorations of immune processes in lung transplantation. The project uses histological approaches to reveal the composition and activation status of immune cells and inflammatory mediators, but also other approaches using blood, broncho alveolar lavage, and exhaled particles. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying treatments, such as stem cell therapies, the project aims to build a strong knowledge base around biological drugs and expand on our understanding of the effectiveness of therapies for this patient population, and potentially uncover new biomarkers for lung injury. Relevant techniques include confocal microscopy, single- and multiplex immunohistochemistry as well as state-of–the-art computerized image analysis.

The research focuses on patient cohorts of transplanted subjects supported by pre-clinical ex vivo and unique in vivo transplant models. Through our collaborators the research project also involves supplementary non-histological molecular, genomic and bioinformatic approaches.

Further, the holder of this position will be responsible for writing of high quality, academic papers to be submitted to international journals. The position also entails mentoring/supervision of postdoctoral trainees, doctoral and masters students.

Qualification requirements 
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international
degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Other assessments will be done according to the following requirements for the position: 

• PhD (or equivalent) in biochemistry, bioengineering, or cell and molecular biology
• technical proficiency and scientific creativity in one or more of the following areas: transplantation / immunology, respiratory biology, histological techniques, and computerized image analysis and / or bioinformatics.
• Background in Immunology
• Experience with confocal microscopy, single- and multiplex immunohistochemistry as well as state-of–the-art computerized image analysis.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English

Great attention will be paid on personal suitability for the position. The applicant must have good
capacity for collaboration, and must be able to work independently,  highly motivated and have a positive attitude. Dedicated individuals with a recent Ph.D. and strong publication records along with excellent academic credentials are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate should have technical proficiency and scientific creativity in one or more of the following areas: transplantation / immunology, respiratory biology, histological techniques, and computerized image analysis and / or bioinformatics.

Additional requirements:

• Ability to develop reproducible assays for analysis of biomolecules, including polypeptides, carbohydrates, phospholipids and nucleotides.
• Experience with data handling and analysis, including statistics
• Ability to run and coordinate interdisciplinary collaborations
• Ability to carry out independent and high-quality research as documented through peer-reviewed publications
• Documented experience in mentoring and/or supervision
• Good knowledge of clinical and translational and pulmonary medicine
• Experience with standard cell and molecular biology techniques, including, western blotting ELISA, mass spectrometry, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, HPLC
• Experience with isolation, propagation and differentiation of primary pulmonary cells, including epithelial cells, fibroblasts and macrophages
• Hands-on experience of handling and dissection of lung tissue from patients and animals

Terms of employment
This is a full-time employment limited to 3 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral researcher”) between SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated November 19, 2021.

Instructions on how to apply
CV, personal letter, reference letter, diplomas of university degree and high school grades.