Doctoral student in Immunotechnology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The Department of Immunotechnology is dedicated to research in Life Science, including immunology, oncology, and hypersensitivity/allergy. Our modern premises are located at Medicon Village, which hosts academic researchers, Life Science companies and health care actors. Several key infrastructures are available here, including facilities for Spatial Omics, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and antibody engineering, as well as NBIS (National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden) bioinformaticians. Application of advanced technology to address complex biomedical challenges has positioned the Department at the forefront of several research areas and generated multiple spin-off companies also located at Medicon Village. You will be part of a research team dedicated to developing precision medicine tools for cancer treatment, which relies on translational research of molecular and cellular processes in cancer.

Work duties

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%).

You will apply Spatial Omics technology to characterize tumor microenvironments for deepened understanding of immune responses in solid tumors. The goal is to establish biomarker signatures to guide cancer treatment, to identify novel therapeutic targets, and to develop bioinformatic workflows for integration and analysis of multiomic data.

Your work will include:

• Planning and conducting protein and RNA spatial profiling of tissue samples
• Planning and conducting immunofluorescence and image analysis
• Developing bioinformatic applications to integrate and analyse multiomic data
• Tentatively plan and conduct functional studies of target molecules using tumor models
• Contribute to collaborations with clinicians and other research groups to develop new, transdisciplinary studies within the project
• Contribute to undergraduate education by supervising students in project and lab courses

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
• an MSc in Engineering or another relevant degree at the same level

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• Good communication skills
• Good analytical skills

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:

• Education/knowledge in immunology and/or tumor biology
• Education/knowledge in bioinformatics
• Practical experience from image analyses
• Practical experience from working in R and/or Python
• Practical experience in laboratory work 

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

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 §§.

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.).