PhD position - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Clinical Microbiology

is looking for a candidate for a PhD position in Medical Science towards Immunology

Project - description

Despite major advances in health care, the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases remains a major challenge. This is especially true for fungal infections (mycoses) which are often difficult to diagnose and can cause systemic, life-threatening infections, especially in individuals with impaired immune systems. My research team strives to understand the interaction between pathogenic fungi and our innate immune system, with a particular focus on neutrophils. These host cells form a first line of defense against attacking microbes, and are loaded with an arsenal of antimicrobial agents, for effective killing of invaders. In an ongoing infection, neutrophils consume oxygen to produce reactive oxygen compounds, with the aim of killing intruders. In response to this low-oxygen environment, the fungus C. albicans changes its surface structure to avoid immune recognition. We now want to identify additional mechanisms by which the fungi can adapt to these demanding conditions. To this end, we will use our established Caenorhabditis elegans infection model in which we can investigate both host response and C. albicans adaptation under oxygen-limiting conditions using for instance transcriptional profiling and siRNA screening methods.

The postgraduate service gives you the opportunity to develop into an independent researcher who plans and performs experiments on her/his own, interprets results and puts them in a scientific context. You will be presented and discuss your research with other researchers within and outside the group. You are actively involved in compiling and publishing research results. You will also be able to supervise Swedish and foreign students at the bachelor / master's level, and participate in the department's teaching obligation. You also act in accordance with the university's policy on equal opportunities and data protection.

Eligibility and qualifications

You must have at least 240 credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits at the advanced level, in the natural sciences, biomedicine or medical sciences. Applicants must be proficient in both oral and written communication in English, be able to work independently as well as in collaboration with others and be very motivated. Applicants should have a keen interest in innate immunity and opportunistic mycoses, and be willing to take on scientific and methodological challenges. Previous practical experience of working with Candida albicans and neutrophils is a merit, as is experience in immunological research under oxygen-poor conditions.

Application

The application should contain the following:
1. Personal letter describing qualification and motivation
2. CV
3. Certified copies of diplomas, certificates and grades
4. A list of publications and a copy of the master thesis
5. Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be sent electronically via the Varbi  no later than 2020-03-12.

Further information

Access by agreement. Salary placement according to the determined salary ladder for doctoral students. According to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 12, §§ 2), the decision on employment cannot be appealed.

For questions, please contact Constantin Urban. Email: constantin.urban@umu.se

Welcome with your application!