PhD Student in Personalized Radionuclide Treatment of Cancer

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on cancer, autoimmune and genetic diseases. One of the core ideas at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby foster closer collaboration between medical research and healthcare. Research is conducted in cancer precision medicine, cancer immunotherapy, genomics and neurobiology, molecular tools and functional genomics, neuro-oncology and neurodegeneration, as well as vascular biology. Parts of the activities are also integrated with the departments of oncology, clinical genetics, clinical immunology, clinical pathology, and hospital physics at Uppsala Academic Hospital. The department has teaching assignments in several program courses, freestanding courses, and international master's programs within the medical faculty. The department has an annual budget of approximately 500 million SEK, of which just over half comes from external research grants. The number of employees is about 345, of which about 100 are PhD students, and there are over 700 active in the workforce. Read more about the department's activities here: https://www.uu.se/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi (https://www.uu.se/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi)

Do you want to work with personalized radionuclide treatment of cancer, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee engagement and offers secure, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University.

Our group has a world-leading position in the development of innovative tumor-targeting drugs based on the recognition of cancer-associated molecular abnormalities using scaffold proteins. Clinical studies have shown that radiolabeled scaffold proteins can accumulate specifically in malignant tumors. Our next step is the development of these drugs for radionuclide treatment. We use peptide nucleic acids as part of the modular molecular design of the targeted agents. See our webpage here: https://www.uu.se/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi/forskning/cancerprecisionsmedicin (https://www.uu.se/institution/immunologi-genetik-och-patologi/forskning/cancerprecisionsmedicin)

Job Duties

The focus of the project will be on labeling targeting agents and their evaluation in vitro (binding specificity, affinity, internalization, penetration of cell spheroids) and in vivo (comparative biodistribution, radionuclide therapy). Labeling will be performed with radionuclides such as 177Lu, 161Tb, 225Ac, 131I, 68Ga, 124I, 125I, and 99mTc.

The successful candidate will devote most of their time to their doctoral education. Other service activities within the department, such as teaching and administrative work, may be included within the framework of the employment (maximum 20%). The position will be extended with time dedicated to teaching to enable four years of full-time doctoral studies.

Qualifications

Eligible for doctoral education is someone who has:

• completed a master's degree in Medical Nuclide Technology, Radiochemistry, or Radiopharmacy, or
• completed at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level including an independent project of at least 15 higher education credits, or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Other requirements include:

• completed education in laboratory animal science (small rodents),
• experience in laboratory practice, culturing human cancer cell lines, and working with radiolabeled proteins.

Desirable/Meritorious

A bachelor's degree in pharmacy or biochemistry is meritorious. Highly meritorious is experience in labeling scaffold proteins with the aforementioned radionuclides, experiments with cancer cell spheroids, and evaluation of binding of radiolabeled proteins to malignant cells and their internalization.

Regulations for doctoral students can be found at https://www.uhr.se/publikationer/lagar-och-regler-for-hogre-utbildning/hogskoleforordningen/ (https://www.uhr.se/publikationer/lagar-och-regler-for-hogre-utbildning/hogskoleforordningen/)

About the Position

The position is temporary, according to HF Chapter 5 § 7. The extent is full-time. Start date is June 1, 2026, or by agreement. Place of employment: Rundbeck Laboratory, Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact:

Prof. Vladimir Tolmachev, +46 704 250782, [email protected]

Welcome with your application by February 13, 202X, UFV-PA 2026/41.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The position may be subject to security clearance. A prerequisite for employment during security clearance is that the applicant is approved.

We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]