PhD Candidate in Infectious Medicine

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. There are approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of human life.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our operations.

Research Group for Infectious Medicine

The Department of Infectious Medicine at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences in Lund integrates discoveries about the body's own peptide-based defense mechanisms with advanced drug design technology to develop new peptide-based immunomodulatory therapies.

Within this environment, Dr. Ganna Petruk is establishing an independent research niche focusing on systemic infections while contributing to a strong collaborative research environment with great potential to promote treatments for acute and chronic infections.

In our research group, we value a good working environment with respect and care in our relationships with each other. We continuously strive to create conditions for job satisfaction, development, and participation for all employees.

The research group is now seeking a full-time PhD candidate (100%) starting on March 1, 2026 (or by agreement).

We Offer

Lund University is a government authority, which means you will receive special benefits, generous vacation, and a favorable occupational pension.

Read more on the university's website about being employed at Lund University, here (https://www.lu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss).

Job Responsibilities

The PhD project will investigate how peptide-based compounds interact with immune cells and affect inflammation. The work involves studying how these molecules are taken up by monocytes and macrophages, identifying the cellular signaling pathways and receptors they affect, and assessing their impact on the interplay between coagulation and inflammatory responses.

Additional tasks may be assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required for the position:

• Master's degree in biotechnology, biomedicine, molecular biology, or a related field (120 ECTS).
• Courses in immunology and protein biochemistry.
• Education and practical experience working with eukaryotic cells (e.g., immune cells such as monocytes or macrophages).
• Knowledge of cellular signaling pathways, receptor biology, and immune cell function.
• Experience with molecular techniques such as Western blot, ELISA, flow cytometry, or similar methods.
• Analytical skills and experience with data analysis, including quantitative analysis of experimental results.
• Ability to independently plan and conduct research work with high accuracy and scientific precision.
• High motivation and strong interest in developing scientific competence and achieving research goals.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage tasks in a structured and systematic manner.
• A collaborative and communicative team player who actively contributes to a dynamic and stimulating research environment.

Meritorious:

• Education or documented experience in coagulation biology, including coagulation tests or functional studies of the contact activation system.
• Education or documented experience in omics-based methods, such as transcriptomics or proteomics, including basic bioinformatics analysis.
• Education or documented experience in scientific communication, including scientific writing and oral presentation of research results.

Eligibility

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is granted to those who have: completed a degree at the advanced level, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, or in some other way acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Assessment Grounds

Regulations for employment as a PhD candidate can be found in the ordinance SFS 1998:80. Only those who are admitted to doctoral education may be appointed as holders. In the appointment process, primary consideration will be given to the ability to benefit from doctoral education. In addition to the obligation to engage in their own doctoral education, the holder may be required to perform duties related to education, research, and administrative work according to specific provisions in the ordinance.

Conditions

Fixed-term employment for four years according to HF 5 chap. 7§. Desired start date is March 1, 2026.

How to Apply

The position is applied for via the university's recruitment system. The application should include a personal letter describing how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application should also include a CV and diploma as well as anything else you wish to cite. At least two references with complete contact information.

The Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund (IKVL) is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. The department has extensive collaboration both within the faculty and with other units at the university. IKVL also has a well-developed collaboration with Skåne University Hospital (SUS) and Region Skåne as well as the surrounding community and industry. This is to promote clinical and experimental translational research, development, and education.

The Faculty of Medicine is an area of operation within Lund University, responsible for education and research in medicine, care, and health. Education is conducted in close collaboration with healthcare and is well anchored in the faculty's strong research tradition. The faculty's research spans a wide field within experimental basic research, patient-centered clinical research, and health science research. The Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is an intensive knowledge meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from all over the world.

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