PhD in Medical Science

The Research group
Clinical Microbiology conducts research in microbiology within the medical field: cell and molecular biology, clinical laboratory medicine, epidemiology, cancer, and immunology. The group is led by Professor Kristian Riesbeck and consists of both research and technical staff. Here, you can read more about our exciting research. 

Within the research group, we prioritize creating a positive work environment based on respect and consideration in our relationships with each other. We strive to provide a workplace that is perceived as developing and stimulating for all employees. We are constantly working to create conditions that foster job satisfaction, personal development, and involvement for all team members. We also prioritize both physical safety and the psychosocial work environment.

Research education topic
Medical Science 

Description of the project
The planned doctoral project involves studying and mapping the ability of Gram-negative respiratory bacteria to interact with the immune system. The focus is on the activation of trained immunity and the ability of mammals to activate it, as well as protect themselves against bacterial respiratory infections and sepsis. The project is translational, meaning that the findings studied in the laboratory will be verified in animal models.

Work duties and responsibilities
The main duties of a doctoral student are to focus on their doctoral training, meaning you will be both registered as a student and employed at Lund University. Specific to the current project, you will work with ELISA, affinity chromatography, various molecular biology techniques including cloning, transformation, transfection, transcription assays, bacterial and cell line culture, as well as basic bioinformatics. Protein production in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression systems. Manufacture of lipid nanoparticles. Functional biological experiments with bacteria and epithelial cells. Flow cytometry (FACS) analyses will also be conducted. The doctoral position also includes experiments with mice.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who:

• have completed a second-cycle degree, 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.
• good ability to assimilate PhD studies. 

Requirements for the position are:

• BSc in Molecular Biology and MSc (Master of Arts) in Chemistry.
• The applicant must have education and practical experience in chemistry, as well as basic molecular biology/biochemistry.
• The applicant must have documented experience in culturing bacteria, eukaryotic cells, and conducting animal experiments in accordance with Swedish legislation.
• Knowledge in the Swedish language to understand and write applications to conduct animal experiments according to Swedish legislation.
• Experience in cloning, expressing both eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins, and purifying them.
• Knowledge of methods for determining protein-protein interactions, e.g., techniques such as surface plasmon resonance and flow cytometry.

Meritorious for the position is:
• Practical experience in cellular immunology and trained immunity.

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. In making the appointment, emphasis shall primarily be placed on the degree of ability to assimilate the doctoral education. Besides the obligation to engage in their own doctoral education, the holder may be required to perform duties related to education, research, and administrative work in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

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

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 §§. Start date 2025-02-01 or by agreement. The main rule is that employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, therefore you are expected to be able to perform your work in either Lund or Malmö.

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.

Instructions on how to apply
The position is applied for via the university's recruitment system. The application must include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position matches your qualifications. The application must also contain a CV, diploma or equivalent and anything else you wish to refer to (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).