Umeå University, Medicinska fakulteten

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 13 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects.

PhD position in Medical Science /virology

A PhD position is available at the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden at Umeå University. The project adopts a biophysical approach to study the molecular mechanisms governing initial recruitment and entry of viruses into host cells. The position is temporary for four years and starts immediately or as agreed.

Project description

The recruitment of a virus to the host cell surface is a highly complex and dynamic process relying on a variety of bio-molecular interactions which need to be tightly regulated and modulated in space and time. Often, initial interactions involve more or less specific interactions with carbohydrates found within the glycocalyx, in the form of glycosaminoglycan, glycolipids, or glycoproteins. .This PhD project aims at investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying virus-carbohydrate interactions. The work involves a biophysical approach based on the use of cell-surface mimics of various complexities and microscopy-based single particle tracking to systematically investigate how virus binding, release and diffusion is modulated at the cell surface.

Qualifications

Prerequisites for graduate studies includes 240 ECTS-credits in natural or medical sciences of which 60 ECTS should be at advanced level. Previous knowledge in biophysics is a must and the candidate should ideally hold a degree in physics. Qualified are also those who have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

Applicants need to be skilled in both oral and written communication in English, be able to work independently as well as in collaboration with others and be highly motivated. Excellent analytical and programing skills including significant experience with MATLAB are required. Prior hands on experience of working with lipid assemblies of various complexities is highly desirable and so is experience with single particle tracking procedures and algorithms. Documented experience with working with methods for the characterization and quantification of lipid vesicles and viruses is considered a particular merit.

How to apply

You apply through the e-recruitment system MyNetwork

The application should include following:

  • An introductory letter with a statement of research interest and highlighting your qualifications for the above-mentioned project.
  • A CV
  • Copies of degree certificates including documentation of completed academic courses and their grades
  • Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.
  • Copies of candidate or master thesis work and research publications

Applications must be written in English. Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.

  • Last day to apply, Tuesday, 2018-12-11

Additional information

The PhD position is temporary for four years and starts immediately or as agreed. The salary successively increases during the 4 years according to a stipulated scale

Contact information: Dr. Marta Bally (marta.bally@umu.se)

More about us

The successful PhD candidate will be part of the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University (www.wcmm.umu.se). The project will be hosted by the Department of Clinical Microbiology.

We welcome your application!

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Enligt överenskommelse
Salary Månadslön
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-1936-18
Contact
  • Marta Bally, Biträdande universitetslektor, 090-785 0000 (växel, NUS)
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 21.Nov.2018
Last application date 11.Dec.2018 11:59 PM CET

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