Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. We have approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our strive to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of human life.

Workplace Description

The research group, led by University Lecturer Charlotte Rolny, conducts experimental and translational research on brain tumors and tumor metastasis. The group is part of the Lund University Cancer Centre at Medicon Village and belongs to the unit for translational cancer research at the Department of Laboratory Medicine. Read more here: Immuno-Oncology Group (https://www.lu.se/vacancies).

The research group studies how the tumor microenvironment affects cancer progression and metastatic spread, with a particular focus on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and their interaction with cancer cells and the tumor's blood vessels. Previous studies from the research group have shown that TAMs located near the tumor's blood vessels, so-called perivascular TAMs, can promote vascular abnormalities and facilitate the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to secondary tumors.

We are now looking for a highly motivated PhD student with an interest in tumor biology, tumor immunology, and metastasis. The PhD project will focus on studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate how cancer cells spread from primary tumors to secondary tumors. Special emphasis will be placed on how tumor-associated macrophages and signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment affect cancer cells' invasive properties, interaction with blood vessels, and ability to establish metastases.

Read the full vacancy at: https://www.lu.se/vacancies (https://www.lu.se/vacancies).

What We Offer

Read on the university's website about working with us: Work with us (#).

Tasks and Responsibilities

In addition to following the study plan for the PhD program and participating in relevant courses for the education, the following tasks are included:

The PhD project aims to increase the understanding of how cancer cells spread from primary tumors to secondary tumors, and how this process is affected by the tumor microenvironment. The project will specifically investigate how tumor-associated macrophages, blood vessels, and recently identified signaling pathways contribute to cancer cell migration, invasion, intravasation, survival in circulation, and establishment in new tissues.

The goals of the project are to:

• identify cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive the spread of cancer cells from primary tumors to secondary tumors,
• investigate how tumor-associated macrophages affect the invasive and metastatic properties of cancer cells,
• study how the interaction between cancer cells, immune cells, and blood vessels contributes to metastatic spread,
• identify new therapeutic targets that can inhibit the spread and establishment of secondary tumors,
• map tumor microenvironment signatures associated with survival, treatment response, and relapse,
• validate experimental findings in patient material to ensure clinical and translational relevance.

Requirements for the position are:

• Master's degree, or equivalent foreign education, in medicine, biomedical science, or molecular biology with FELASA C certification
• Good communication skills in English
• Good collaboration skills

We place great emphasis on personal qualities. We are looking for someone who is curious, responsible, and engaged, with good collaboration skills. You should be structured, able to organize and prioritize tasks in a dynamic research environment.

Qualifications that are meritorious for the position are:

• Experience working with animal models, flow cytometry, multiplex analysis

Eligibility

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

Evaluation Basis

Regulations for employment as a PhD student can be found in Ordinance SFS 1998:80. Only those admitted to doctoral education may be appointed as holders. In the appointment, attention shall be paid primarily to the degree of ability to benefit from the doctoral education. In addition to the obligation to engage in their own doctoral education, the holder may be required to perform duties concerning education, research, and administrative work according to special provisions in the ordinance.

Conditions

Fixed-term employment for four years according to HF Chapter 5, Section 7, with a desired start date of August 1, 2026, subject to agreement.

How to Apply:

The position is applied for via the university's recruitment system. The application must include a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position matches your qualifications. The application must also include a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of grades, reference contacts, recommendation letters, etc.).

The Faculty of Medicine is a business area within Lund University, responsible for education and research in medicine, care, and health. The education takes place in close collaboration with healthcare and is well rooted in the faculty's strong research tradition. The faculty's research spans a broad field within experimental basic research, patient-oriented clinical research, and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with just over 1,800 employees and 3,000 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from around the world.

The Department of Laboratory Medicine (ILM) is one of six departments at the Faculty of Medicine. We conduct leading research in the field of laboratory medicine with a focus on how diseases arise and how we can improve patient diagnostics and treatment. Some of our strongest areas with world-class research involve cancer, genetics, and blood research.

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