PhD student position in medical science

PhD position in the subject of "Molecular mechanisms of adenovirus attachment to target cells" is available at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and MIMS (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden).MIMS is a new laboratory at Umeå University with emphasis on the field of molecular infection as the Swedish node in the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine that is formed together with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the new Nordic nodes for Molecular Medicine in Finland and Norway.The aim of this new initiative is to strengthen Swedish research and enhance the dynamics in the field of Molecular Medicine, partly by promoting the career opportunities for young scientists.The MIMS groups work in modern laboratories with well-equipped common facilities in a creative and highly interactive environment.MIMS is established within the Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR): www.ucmr.se.Description of the PhD project Adenoviruses are common pathogens in humans and cause severe and sometimes life threatening infections, mainly in organs/tissues such as eyes, respiratory tract, intestine and kidneys.Currently, there are no antiviral drugs available against adenoviruses.The tropism of adenoviruses is to a large extent depending on their interactions with specific cellular receptors.Cellular receptors have been identified for some adenovirus types, but not for all.In this project we will set up a novel approach to identify cellular receptors for specific adenoviruses, and characterize viral ligand- cellular receptors structurally and functionally.These approaches may help to develop novel antiviral drugs against adenoviruses.Salary/type of position The salary is made up of a postgraduate student allowance ("utbildningsbidrag") for the first two years and the salary successively increases according to a stipulated scale in the last two years of the PhD position ("doktorandtjänst").The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (chapt.12, 2 ) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed.Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.Application procedure The application should be in English and should include a cover letter with a brief statement of research experience and interests, and a CV.Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-353-09, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive April 24, 2009 at the latest.Se fullständig annons på: www.jobb.umu.se We look forward receiving your application!