PhD Student in Celiac Disease and Diabetes

Description of the workplace
The Celiac and Diabetes Unit at the Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö conducts research primarily on autoimmune diabetes, celiac disease, and autoimmune thyroid inflammation, as well as other less common autoimmune diseases such as narcolepsy. For several years, the research has been at the forefront of the celiac disease and diabetes field. The group is currently led by Adjunct Professor Daniel Agardh and consists of research and technical staff. More information about the research can be found here.
The unit is located at the Clinical Research Center (CRC) in Malmö.

We care about creating a positive, respectful, and stimulating environment. We value communication and collaboration and a workplace that promotes learning and development for all employees. We are also committed to building a safe and positive environment for all employees through mutual respect and tolerance.

Doctoral Research Subject                    
Medical Science

Description of the project
The project is based on a population-based screening for type 1 diabetes (T1D), celiac disease (CD), and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in children. The goal of this screening is to:

• Identify presymptomatic cases, enabling early interventions and improving prognosis.
• Develop a scalable model for integrating advanced laboratory diagnostics for these three diseases.

Advances in laboratory technology have revolutionized the screening of T1D, CD, and AITD. Automated platforms allow for precise autoantibody measurements in large populations at minimal cost and effort, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and enabling the analysis of large sample volumes. These tools are crucial for the success of future large-scale screening programs. This project aims to further develop public screening for T1D, CD, and AITD in children using biomedical laboratory science and technology.

Additionally, the project will develop a patient-specific in vitro disease model to better understand the molecular mechanisms behind autoimmunity. The project combines laboratory techniques and stem cell research to improve screening methods and the understanding of autoimmune diseases in children.

Work duties
The main tasks of a doctoral student are to devote themselves to their doctoral education and therefore you will be both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

Specifically, the project involves evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of blood samples collected on filter paper compared to traditional blood collection tubes. The analyses will be conducted using multiplex ADAP methods to simultaneously detect autoantibodies against insulin, GAD65, ZnT8, IA-2, tTGA, and TPO. Additionally, the project will assess autoantibody affinity as a potential early biomarker for the progression from autoimmune activation to clinical disease.

As part of the research, samples will be collected from skin or white blood cells to generate pluripotent stem cells in collaboration with Stem Therapy, BMC, Lund. These stem cells will be genetically edited using CRISPR/Cas technology, allowing for transcriptional and functional comparisons of isogenic cell lines. Another important aspect of the project is the development of co-cultures of patient-specific small intestinal organoids with immune cells, aiming to identify precise autoimmune mechanisms in response to gluten exposure.

Other tasks within the research group may also be assigned.         

Qualifications
To be eligible for doctoral studies, applicants must meet the following criteria:  

• completed a degree at advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, or in some other way within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge
• good ability to make use of the postgraduate education

Requirements for employment are:

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Biomedicine, Molecular Biology, or an equivalent field.
• Experience in laboratory work is required.
• Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities, as the tasks require independence, precision, strong organizational and collaboration skills, social competence, and a results-oriented and proactive approach.

Meritorious for the position are:

• Previous laboratory experience related to T1D, CD, and AITD is considered an advantage.

Great importance will be placed on how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is assessed to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral program.

Assessment Criteria
Regulations regarding employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1998:80. Only those admitted to doctoral studies may be appointed to this position. The primary criterion for selection is the applicant’s ability to successfully complete doctoral studies. In addition to pursuing their own research education, the holder of the position may be assigned teaching, research, and administrative duties as stipulated by the ordinance.

Terms of Employment
The position is a fixed-term full-time appointment for four years, with a preliminary start date of April 1, 2025, or as agreed. As a general rule, employment at Lund University requires work to be conducted in Sweden, and therefore, you are expected to perform your duties on-site in Malmö.

Regulations regarding doctoral student employment are specified in Chapter 5, Sections 1–7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). Regulations regarding admission to doctoral studies are found in Chapter 6, Section 3 of the same ordinance.

What We Offer
Lund University is a public authority, which means you will benefit from special employment advantages, generous vacation entitlements, and a favorable occupational pension scheme. Learn more about working at Lund University on the university’s website.

How to apply
The position is sought via the university’s recruitment system. Applications should include a personal motivation letter, in which you describe how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application should also contain a diploma, CV or equivalent and anything else you wish to refer to (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).