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We are looking for a PhD candidate in medical science as part of the larger EU network Marie Curie MCSA Doctoral Network STEM-CORE.

Are you passionate about working with stem cells or stem cell-based biomaterials? And eager to explore groundbreaking techniques such as genome editing and in vivo imaging? Or are you perhaps fascinated by eye research and have an affinity for molecular, cellular, and medical science? If so – come and join our STEM-CORE project and become one of the 14 PhD candidates recruited from 9 European countries.

STEM-CORE, supported by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), aims to explore strategies for developing stem cell therapies and biomaterials and laying the groundwork for future treatments to restore vision. For details about STEM-CORE, please visit here (https://www.ru.nl/en/research/research-projects/stem-core).

IMPORTANT: Applicants must meet the following conditions: not have been residing or had their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 36 months prior to the recruitment date.

Your tasks

As part of the MCSA PhD candidate network STEM-CORE, you, along with 13 other PhD candidates, will contribute to the project's main goal, which is to develop a robust, affordable, and sustainable cell therapy for treating corneal blindness caused by stem cell deficiency. For this PhD position, the emphasis is on translational, in vivo models to evaluate proposed cell-based therapies. The focus of this dissertation is therefore to:

• Evaluate various methods for stem cell delivery to the cornea in vivo to assess their therapeutic potential.
• Track the delivered cells in vivo using genetic or fluorescence-based labeling techniques.
• Evaluate the effect of cell-based therapies in transgenic and traumatic mouse models of limbal stem cell deficiency using histochemical and omics-based methods.

The position will involve three short visits to partner laboratories to learn methods for cell distribution, immunological characterization of cells and tissues, tracking living cells, and methods for analyzing multi-omics data.

As a PhD candidate, you will dedicate yourself to your doctoral education and the research project you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental duties, up to 20% of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have a master's degree in biological sciences or a related field, or have completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 should be advanced courses covering molecular biological techniques. Alternatively, you have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in other ways.

Your skills should include standard techniques in molecular biology applied at the cell, tissue, gene, and protein levels. Experience with stem cells, in vivo models and systems, microsurgery, and/or computational methods is not a strict requirement but is considered an asset.

You are a proactive and driven person who can work effectively in a team consisting of PhD candidates, postdocs, and other researchers with diverse technical and cultural backgrounds. You are willing to travel and learn new techniques in different research environments, and you have good collaborative skills. You are also very flexible and can take on various tasks within several subprojects. You have a positive attitude and are willing to help (and be helped by) other researchers and colleagues. You also have the ability to communicate at an advanced scientific level in both spoken and written English. You are results-oriented and have a strong work ethic.

A letter of intent should be attached to your application describing your background, competencies, and goals, and how these align with the research group's environment and the focus areas of the dissertation as well as the broader STEM-CORE doctoral network.

Your workplace

You will work at the Department of Sensory Organs and Communication (SOK) at the Faculty of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV).

The research group for eye diseases focuses on developing new treatments for conditions that severely impair vision. The group uses cell models and develops surgical techniques to deliver and test innovative therapies, including new drugs, biomaterials, and medical devices. Collaboration with other research groups primarily occurs in an international environment, and shorter stays of 2-3 months at partner institutions are common.

About the employment

Upon acceptance into the doctoral program, your employment as a PhD candidate will be processed. Read more about the respective faculty's doctoral education here (https://www.example.com).

The employment is time-limited to four years full-time. You will initially be employed for one year, and thereafter the employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan. Extension of employment up to five years can occur based on the degree of teaching and departmental duties. In special circumstances, further extension may be granted.

Start date by agreement.

Salary and benefits

The PhD salary is regulated according to a locally agreed salary scale and the STEM-CORE agreement. Read more about employee benefits here (https://www.example.com).

Union contacts

Information about union contacts can be found in Help for applicants.

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must be received by Linköping University no later than March 23, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as this enriches and develops our operations. For us, it is self-evident to uphold everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work with Equal Conditions.

Welcome with your application!

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