Doctoral student in biomedical sciences

Welcome to Linnaeus University! We meet the societal challenges of today and tomorrow in a spirit of openness, curiosity and creativity. By creating arenas for exchange of knowledge from different subjects, fields and cultures, we open up for new ideas and create new opportunities for long-term sustainable societal development. Linnaeus University – where people grow.

Research in the field of Biochemistry at Linnaeus University is carried out at the Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. We are interested in a wide range of research disciplines including molecular interactions, enzymology, immunology, virology, chemistry and biomaterials.

Field of subject for the appointment: Biomedical sciences

Placement city: Kalmar, Sweden

Job description

A four-year PhD Research Fellowship is available at the Linnaeus University, Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry. The subject of our research is to study complement system protein interactions in experimental neurodegenerative retinal diseases, were macular degeneration and glaucoma is in focus. The main goal is to advance the understanding of the mechanisms behind adverse complement reactions during the degenerative process. The furture goal is to find new possible treatments.

 

This PhD project focus on role of innate immunity in ocular diseases and therapy. The project will include the development of experimental cell and tissue culture models for investigations of the pathogenesis during neurodegenative diseases like macular degeneration and optic nerve atrophy. The primary focus is investigation of complement system components and related proteins involved in the degenerative process with the ambition to prevent the progression of degeneration. Methodologies that will be relevant are animal-models, techniques for cell- and tissue culturing and analysis (immunocyto-and histochemistry, microscopy, flow cytometry etc.), biomarker analysis (ELISA, Luminex, western blot as well as Real-time PCR). The research will be performed at Linnaeus University, Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Kalmar, Sweden. The candidate will join a strong and interactive research environment.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, a person appointed to a doctoral studentship should primarily devote himself/herself to his/her own studies. An appointee may, however, work to a limited extent with education, research, artistic development, and administration. However, before a doctoral degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20% of a full-time post.

 

Requirements 

Applicants fulfill the general entry requirements if they


• Have been awarded a degree on second-cycle level in chemistry or biomedicine, and have knowledge of molecular and cellular biology, and practical experience of work with relevant molecular, cellular and tissue handling techniques.

 


• Have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which 60 credits on second-cycle level, or in another way, in Sweden or abroad, have acquired principally equivalent knowledge.

Specific requirements


• Applicants should have a good command of English and a keen interest an knowledge in innate immunity and ophthalmology research.

Assessment grounds


• A degree in chemistry or biomedicine, and knowledge in immunology and ophthalmology is needed.
• Experience of cell and tissue culture techniques, animal experiments, and other relevant immunochemical/molecular and cellular techniques is needed.
• Importance will be attached to the compatibility of the applicant’s professional and personal disposition. We aim to find a candidate who is highly motivated for research studies, ambitious, collaborative, independent and structured.

 

Evaluation and selection criteria

The selection of candidates is made with regard to the applicants’ ability to successfully complete and benefit from their studies at the graduate level. More information about the evaluation and selection criteria can be found in the subject area’s general syllabus, see https://lnu.se/en/education/PhD-studies/.

Employment
The employment as a doctoral student is limited according to chapter 5, § 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance. The total employment period may not be longer than the equivalent full-time postgraduate studies of four years.

Applications:

Closing date for application is January 10, 2022. Mark your application with reference number 2021/953-2.2.1. The application (in English) should include: 


• CV, including telephone number, e-mail, current address and date of birth.
• Application letter containing descriptions of reasons for applying, compliance with the assessment criteria and expectations for PhD studies (max. one page)
• Signed copies of documents detailing grades for courses completed
• Signed copies of degrees awarded and proof of the required basic qualifications and the other assessment criteria given above
• Summary of the Master’s thesis (maximum one page)
• Name and contact information (including title, affiliation, telephone number and e-mail address) of two references who have agreed to write a letter of recommendation, and preferably a short letter of recommendation

Contacts:

Head of department, Anna Asplund, anna.asplund@lnu.se

Professor Kristina Nilsson-Ekdahl +46722320726, kristina.nilsson-ekdahl@lnu.se

PdD, non-tenured assistant professor, Camilla Mohlin +46739052231, camilla.mohlin@lnu.se

HR partner Leif Eriksson, leif.eriksson@lnu.se

 


Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the Apply button at the bottom of the ad. Applicants are requested to the application resolving CV, cover letter , a copy of a relevant essay , grades and certificates and other relevant documents. The applicant also requested to submit with their application a proposed research plan within the current area of research. All documents must be attached to digital in the application. The application and other documents shall be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.