PhD student in Experimental Infectious Medicine

Description of the workplace
The Division of Infection Medicine has modern research facilities at the Biomedical Center and comprises approximately 45 full-time employees working in 8 independent groups. In addition, about 40 researchers within employment within Region Skåne are affiliated with the Division. The research has a common theme; studies of host-bacteria interactions – clinical, molecular and cellular aspects. The scientific questions are addressed by researchers with competence in different areas; clinical medicine, microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and immunology.

The proposed project is a collaboration between the Mattias Collin's group Infection and Immunomodulation, Lotta Happonen’s group Experimental Infection Medicine, all part of the Division of Infection Medicine. To this project we are now seeking a full-time PhD student to join our research group. The proposed start date is February 1, 2025, or as agreed upon.

We value a work environment characterized by collaboration and open communication, where different opinions are respected. As a workplace, we strive for a positive environment based on mutual respect.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get 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 

Work assignments
In this project the PhD student will mainly use molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry and bioinformatic methods.

The main questions that will be addressed in the project are:

• Can novel, bacterial antibody modulating enzymes be identified by utilizing a predictive structural homology-search against known Ig-modulating enzymes?
• Does bacteremia and/or sepsis lead to IgG modulation in patients, and if so, can the molecular mechanisms be identified?
• Can bacteriophage endolysins be used to effectively treat intracellular mycobacterial infections?

Other work tasks may be added within the frame of the employment and project. 

Qualifications

Necessary qualifications for the job:

• Masters degree or equivalent of at least 300 ECTS in a relevant subject such as Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Infection Biology or Microbiology.
• Documented experience of work with pathogenic bacteria
• Documented ability to express yourself in written and spoken English.
• Ability of doing document research in a structured way
• Good cooperation skills

We also value personal abilitys like, curiosity and commitment. 

Meritorious are:

• Hands on experience from work with bacteriophage lysins

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

How to apply
Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

The Department of Clinical Sciences Lund is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. Clinical Sciences Lund cooperates closely with Skåne University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine in order to optimize the conditions for preclinical and clinical translational research, research strategies and development, as well as education on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.