PhD Position in Medical Science

Project Title: Interferon-Stimulated Proteins in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma - Prognosis, Function, and Treatment

Gothenburg University meets societal challenges with diverse knowledge. 56,000 students and 6,600 employees make the university a large and inspiring workplace. Strong research and attractive education attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, Gothenburg University contributes to a better future.

University-wide Information

You can find information about what it means to be a PhD student at Gothenburg University on the university's PhD pages here (https://www.gu.se/utbildning-till-att-bli-forskare).

Job Responsibilities

Training in medical science consists of conducting a scientific project and participating in doctoral-level courses of at least 30 higher education credits. The training concludes with the PhD student writing a scientific compilation thesis or a monograph corresponding to at least 120 higher education credits. For more information about doctoral education at the Sahlgrenska Academy, see here (https://www.gu.se/sahlgrenska-akademin/var-forskarutbildning).

Project: Despite successes in both treatment and genetic classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), between 30 and 40% still die from the disease. DLBCL is a heterogeneous disease where both the malignant clone and the tumor microenvironment contribute to the varying clinical picture. However, the complexity may not only be explained by genetic changes, and it may also be difficult to predict whether such changes truly affect protein expression and thus the properties of the tumor cells.

By studying global protein and gene expression in tumor tissue from high-risk patients, we have found overexpression of interferon-stimulated proteins, which has not been previously described in DLBCL, that appear to affect both prognosis and response to treatment. Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) play an important role primarily in antiviral immunity, but in recent years, it has increasingly emerged that they can also affect immunosuppressive mechanisms in various cancers, leading to both tumor progression and treatment resistance.

The aim of the project is to test the hypothesis that interferon-stimulated proteins have prognostic significance and influence the development of treatment resistance in DLBCL, with specific objectives including:

• To investigate the prognostic value of digital immunohistochemical analysis of interferon-stimulated proteins in large patient cohorts.
• To investigate the functional role of these proteins in DLBCL:
• a. through in vitro studies in various DLBCL cell lines
• b. by mapping activity and relevance in associated signaling pathways
• c. by examining the therapeutic effect of blocking/downregulating such genes/proteins, as a “proof-of-concept” in vivo, in DLBCL mouse models.

The applicant is expected to have excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written. Furthermore, the applicant should be able to work independently, have good organizational and initiative skills, and a strong drive for research. Personal suitability will be given great importance.

Doctoral education consists of four years of full-time study and leads to a doctoral degree. Within the framework of your doctoral employment, you may have institutional duties of a maximum of 20% of full-time distributed throughout the entire training period, which will then generate a corresponding extension of the training time. Institutional duties usually include teaching at the undergraduate and advanced levels, but research and administration may also be included.

Eligibility

To be admitted to doctoral education, basic eligibility and, if applicable, the specific eligibility established in the general study plan for the doctoral subject is required.

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who:

1. have obtained a master's degree, or
2. have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level, or
3. have acquired equivalent knowledge in other ways, within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility for doctoral education in medical science is met by those who have completed the course English B/6 with a passing grade or are deemed to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies.

Contact Information for the PhD Position

If you have questions about the project, you are welcome to contact the main supervisor, Per-Ola Andersson, Professor, Department of Medicine, email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Application

For further information and to apply for the position, see the full advertisement here (https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-anstallningar).

The application must be received by: 2025-01-30

The university actively works for a work environment with equal conditions and values the qualities that diversity brings to the operation.

The university applies individual salary setting.

According to the National Archives' regulations, the university is obliged to store application documents for two years after the appointment decision. If you, as an applicant for a position, specifically request the return of your documents, they will be returned after the two years have passed; otherwise, they will be disposed of.

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