PhD student in Infection Medicine

Division of Infection Medicine
The research group in Structural Infection Medicine (STRIME) is led by Lotta Happonen, and the focus is to map how different bacteria bind to human cells and proteins to cause infection. The specific aim is to use a combination of protein mass spectrometry and methods within integrative structural biology to identify and describe such host–pathogen protein–protein interfaces in detail. This is important for the future development of small‑molecule inhibitors, nanoparticles, and specific antibodies targeting these interfaces as treatments for infections. Within the research group, we use methods in molecular biology, cellular infection models, quantitative mass spectrometry, structural proteomics, and structural biology.

Today, the research group consists of one PhD student and master’s students. The broader research constellation that the group is integrated into includes several other research groups and comprises physicians, preclinical researchers, PhD students, research engineers, and technical laboratory staff. Within the research group, we value a good work environment with respect and care in our relationships with each other. We continuously strive to create conditions for job satisfaction, development, and participation for all employees.

The research group is now seeking a full-time (100%) PhD student starting March 1st, 2026 (or as agreed).

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
The PhD student will study how different bacterial proteins, primarily nucleases from streptococci, bind to human proteins to inhibit the innate and adaptive immune system. The work tasks include methods within molecular biology, bioinformatics, quantitative and structural proteomics, as well as structural biology (cryo‑electron microscopy), to determine the interactions between intact bacteria, bacterial virulence factors, and human proteins. The overall aim is to develop nanoparticles that could potentially be used in the future for vaccination purposes against streptococcal infections.

Additional duties may be assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

Requirements for the Position

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biomedicine or equivalent.
• Experience with molecular biology methods such as ELISA, SDS‑PAGE, and Western blot analyses.
• Experience working with bacteria in a BSL2 environment.
• Experience with culturing human cell lines (e.g., THP‑1, HeLa).
• Documented experience in large‑scale quantitative and functional proteomics.
• Experience with cellular infection studies in a BSL2 environment, as well as sample preparation for quantitative proteomics.
• Strong skills in quantitative proteomics data analysis and knowledge of bioinformatics.

We are looking for someone who is ambitious, motivated, and strongly driven to achieve the research goals set for the project. You should be able to work independently and proactively, with the ability to take initiative and lead projects in a structured manner. We also value good collaboration and communication skills, as well as a strong ability to contribute to a team‑based research environment.

Merits:

• Experience in screening for inhibition of infection or signaling in cell‑based models.
• Bioinformatics experience with a focus on pathway enrichment analyses (e.g., Metascape).

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§. The proposed start date is March 1st 2026, or as agreed.

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.