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

Subject description

T cells, which are a type of white blood cells, are an important part of our immune system. When we catch a cold, T cells are activated and come to our aid. They also play a key role in immunotherapy to fight cancer and in the function of vaccines. The activation of T cells is mainly controlled by the interaction between T cell receptors and pMHC molecules on the surface of two meeting cells. However, it has been shown that other membrane proteins such as adhesion molecules, coreceptors (e.g. CD4), and costimulatory receptors also have an impact on the activation of T cells. Currently, there is no model that explains how all these receptors interact and come together to initiate the activation of our immune system. The purpose of this interdisciplinary project is to better understand how T cells are activated and regulated. For this purpose, you will study the function of specific protein molecules both on artificial cell surfaces and on the surface of living cells in the project. This will be done with high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, nanofabrication of surface structures, manufacturing of microfluidic channels, and specific surface modifications.

Work duties

The work is mainly experimental but will also include advanced analysis and interpretation of the obtained data. For the experiments, you will build a well-controlled model cell surface that contains various key molecules on the surface of T cells, such as the coreceptor CD4 and T-cell receptors, which then bind to corresponding receptors on added immune cells. The interactions between the receptors on the model surface and on the living cells will be studied using high resolution, advanced fluorescence microscopy, which can image down to single molecules. With the help of nanofabrication and microfluidics, you will furthermore be able to precisely control where and when the interactions occur. This information is important for better understanding how T cells are activated, but also for developing more effective drugs against e.g. cancer.

The main supervisor for the project is Associate Professor Peter Jönsson at the Department of Physical Chemistry, Lund University, with a research focus on biomolecular interactions at interfaces https://www.physchem.lu.se/people/seniors/joensson/. The doctoral student will be stationed at the Division of Physical Chemistry but will also work closely with postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students in Prof. Simon Davis’ group at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford in England https://davislab-oxford.org/, as well as with Prof. Fredrik Höök’s group at Chalmers in Sweden https://www.chalmers.se/en/persons/fredrikh/. Longer stays in these research groups may occur during the doctoral period.

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 this position if the applicant has:

• At least 120 credits in courses relevant to the advertised position (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology/biotechnology…), of which at least 30 credits are an advanced level degree project in the chosen field or related fields. The special eligibility is assessed in each individual case.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

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:

• Experience of cell culture is a merit.
• Experience of high-resolution fluorescence microscopy is a merit.
• Experience of image analysis is a merit.

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