Doctoral student in medical science with specialisation in immunology - ,

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research? 

To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

The research group

The research will be performed at the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University and within a research team that focuses on an improved understanding of humoral immune responses to infection and vaccination of humans. The research team is led by Mattias Forsell, associate professor of Immunology. In collaboration with clinical researchers assoc prof Johan Normark and prof Clas Ahlm at University Hospital of Umeå, you will be engaged in projects that utilize clinical samples from individuals after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination to study the human immune system.

More information about the Mattias Forsells research group:
https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/mattias-forsell-research-group-translational-b-cell-immunology/

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

We are looking for one or two PhD-students who will work in projects to understand immune responses to virus infection or vaccination. The projects are part of long-term studies of COVID-19 infection (COVUM) or vaccination (COVACC, COVERS), and hantarvirus infection, and will reveal immune responses on both population- and on the individual level.

We have previously demonstrated how the human immune system responds to heterologous vaccination or infection on a general or detailed level (Normark et al. NEJM, 2021; Kaku et al. Science 2022; Mittler et al. Science Translational Medicine, 2022). Here, the doctoral student(s) will continue this research to better understand the impact of sequential booster vaccination in young, middle aged and elderly individuals. You will work with state-of-the-art immunological methodology and clinical samples to dissect vaccine-specific immune responses to a cellular and molecular level. In addition, you will combine your results with registry data to reveal impact of previous covid-19 infection or comorbidities on vaccine-induced responses. Responsibilities of the PhD-student(s) include; planning and performing the experiments, analyzing the data, and reporting and publishing the results in scientific journals and at international conferences.

You who are admitted to doctoral studies from July 1st 2021 will be enrolled in the faculty-wide doctoral education programme at the Faculty of Medicine. The doctoral programme comprises 25 credits and is offered in two study variants: 25 credits spread over 8 terms (a total of 4 years) or over 12 terms (a total of 6 years), starting each autumn and spring semester. More information about the programme can be found on the faculty’s web page for doctoral studies https://www.aurora.umu.se/en/organisation-and-management/organisation/faculties/faculty-of-medicine/doctoral-studies/

General admission requirements

To be admitted for doctoral studies the applicant is required to hold a University degree of at least 240 credits (ECTS), of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, or equivalent levels of education otherwise acquired in Sweden or abroad.

Specific admission requirements

In order to meet the requirement of specific competence to be admitted for doctoral studies in immunology, the applicant should have a degree in Biomedicine, Biomedical Laboratory Science, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or similar degree. A degree in Medicine can also be considered if the applicant can demonstrate significant pre-clinical research experience. 

Merits of particular benefit for the position(s) include; Experience with development of immunological methods for analysis of single cells or serology within the realm of pre-clinical and clinical assessment (?). Excellent knowledge and hands-on experience with of antibody-based methodology such as ELISA, ELISpot and flow cytometry. Experience with recombinant protein production and good knowledge of how immune cells can be isolated from whole blood and stored for future use can be advantageous in combination with other experiences of merit.

Good knowledge in English, both written and spoken, is required. The candidate is assessed for these skills during a presentation of the research plan in English for the department's doctoral education group.

The applicant must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, and much focus will be given to the candidate’s potential collaborative skills.

Application
The application must contain the following:

Curriculum vitae of a maximum of two A4; Cover letter of a maximum of one A4 stating why you are interested in the position; Certified copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades; Names and contact information for at least two reference persons.

You must apply through our e-recruitment system. Log in and apply using the link at the bottom of the page. The application deadline is 220501

Further information can be obtained from Associate professor Mattias Forsell; mattias.forsell@umu.se