Doctoral student in Immunotechnology

Description of the workplace

The position will be located at the Department of Immunotechnology at Medicon Village in Lund and be part of CREATE Health  and Lund University's Cancer Center.

Subject description

The project aims to increase the understanding of the biology associated with response to CAR T-cell therapy in malignant lymphomas. Specific focus will be on (i) early detection of adverse events, (ii) production success factors, (iii) biological determinants of response to treatment.  The aim of the project is to explain response to treatment and identify resistence mechanisms. The project is carried out in collaboration with Skåne University Hospital (SUS) and will be connected to the LUCAR-1 clinical trial.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The project will benefit from infrastructures availble through CREATE Healath and part of the Antibodies@LU infrastructure. Specifically, high plex flow cytometry and functional multi-modal single cell analysis will be applied to retrieve biological information from patient samples.

The work assignments include:

• Take part in the development of point-of-care production and quality control of CAR-T cells at the SUS ATMP centre.
• Take part in collaborations with clinicans and other researchers to initiate, plan and execute the translational projects associated with LUCAR-1.
• Plan and optimize protocols needed for the translational projects.
• Patient data collection using wearables, flow cytometry and Beacon Discovery cellular and molecular analyses.
• Downstream data curation and analysis.
• Be involved in collaborative efforts with collegues on lymphoma-related projects.
• Be involved in teaching in courses and of project students.
• Contribute to the development of the department through active participation in joint meetings and activities. 

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Immunotechnology if the applicant has:

• At least 240 credits with relevance for the specific subject, with at least 60 credits in the second cycle, including a project of 30 credits in the second cycle with relevance for the subject, or similar, or
• Master in Engineering or other education at equal levels with relevance for the subject
  
  

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish
• Education with focus on biotechnology, cellbiology, tumorbiology and/or immunology.
• Knowledge of flow cytometry, Beacon discovery workflows or related technologies.
• Knowledge and practical experience in coding languages such as Python and/or R.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. Written and oral communication skills. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

Add further qualifications such as knowledge and/or experience deemed important for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

• Knowledge of CAR T-cells
• Knowledge in lymphoma biology

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications should be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!