PhD Regenerative neurobiology

Description of the workplace

The Regenerative Neurobiology research group at the Department of Experimental Medical Research within the Faculty of Medicine currently conducts research in cell-based treatments for brain injuries and is at the forefront of its field. You can read more about our exciting research here.

The research group is led by Professor Malin Parmar and comprises both research and technical staff. We are now seeking a motivated and knowledge-driven PhD student to work on developing and improving patient-derived cells strategies in preclinical transplantation models, and to assess their suitability for autologous cell replacement therapy in Parkinson’s disease.

As a workplace, we value a positive working environment characterized by respect and consideration in our relationships with one another, and we place great importance on various forms of collaboration.

Description of the project

This PhD project will investigate the functional performance, pathological vulnerability, and therapeutic robustness of dopaminergic neurons generated from patient-derived iPSCs, in preclinical transplantation models. The project will include the evaluation of novel strategies to protect transplanted cells from developing pathological protein aggregates, with approaches tailored to individual needs and aimed at enhancing long-term graft survival for translational applications.

Work duties and responsibilities

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.

As a PhD student in the field of cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease within the research group, you will be responsible for designing, conducting, generating data from, analyzing, and reporting scientific projects both in writing and orally, in collaboration with the principal investigator and other members of the group. Your duties will include cell culture work, transcriptomic analysis, and a strong focus on various types of preclinical validation in relevant disease models.

The project is part of a broader research program (ERC Synergy grant) and may also include administrative tasks and collaboration with other disciplines, research groups, and industry. You will use cell and molecular biology methods, immunostaining, and microscopy, and you will perform stereotactic surgery and behavioral testing. Other duties within the research group may also apply, such as involvement in additional projects within the group, administrative work, conference travel, presentation of research findings, and supervision of students.

Qualifications

Requirements for admission are:

• completed a degree at advanced level, corresponding to 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

Requirements for employment are:

• Completed undergraduate degree in neurobiology, cell biology, biotechnology or an equivalent field
• Experience with methods such as stem cell culture, molecular biology, immunostaining, and microscopy
• Strong scientific ability to plan and analyze experiments
• Good ability to work effectively in collaborative projects, both within the research group and with other research groups and disciplines, ideally with a translational focus
• A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a high level of motivation to succeed
• Good ability to present research orally and in writing

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. The duties require that you are well organized, meticulous, and persistent, with a strong interest in regenerative medicine and the development of cell therapies.

Meritorious for the position are:

• Previous experience with projects focusing on neurodegenerative diseases
• Experience or training in research aimed at understanding neurodegenerative disease mechanisms
• Experience of animal handling

Great emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s experience and qualifications as an indication of their ability to successfully complete the doctoral program.

We offer

Lund University is a governmental authority, which means you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favorable occupational pension.

As a doctoral student at Lund University, you are both admitted as a student and an employee, which gives you several benefits. Read more about being admitted and employed at on the university's website. Read more about being employed with us on the university's website.

About the employment

The position is a fixed-term position for a total of four years, 100% with a start date of 01-03-2026 or as agreed. The main rule is that employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, so you are expected to be able to perform your work on site in Lund.

Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student are found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. Provisions regarding admission to doctoral studies are found in Chapter 6, Section 3, Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). More information is available on the university's website.

Additional information

For doctoral students, there is a specific salary scale linked to each faculty and salary is set according to the current salary scale.

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.).

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§.