Vacant job

The Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW) conducts experimental basic research in molecular cell biology, integrative biology, and infection and immunobiology. The research environment is characterized by modern and advanced methodology and has a strong international profile. MBW is one of the larger departments within the Faculty of Science at Stockholm University, with over 30 research groups and approximately 180 employees, of whom 65 are doctoral students. More information about us can be found at: Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute (https://www.wenner-gren.su.se).

Project Description

The human gut flora contains a highly diversified microbial community, consisting of bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes, among others. However, many interactions between different species are limited by the human immune system. For example, immunoglobulin A antibodies can cross-link microorganisms that have similar proteins on their cell surface. This can trap many different microorganisms in species- and strain-specific aggregates, limiting their interactions and genetic exchanges with other species, including the intercellular spread of bacteriophages. However, when these microorganisms leave the human body, they usually reach a wastewater treatment plant where they are mechanically mixed with many other different microbial species. This can stimulate unique interactions between different microbial species, making wastewater treatment plants an ideal environment where bacteriophages can evolve broad species specificity. Such evolved bacteriophages are potentially valuable for future antimicrobial therapies.

This doctoral project aims to systematically identify and map new species specificities for bacteriophages spread in wastewater treatment plants, as well as to identify the mutations in receptor-binding domains that enable such broad species specificity. The project is therefore expected to identify new strategies for constructing synthetic bacteriophages for future antimicrobial therapies with both broad and limited spectra of bacterial inhibition. The doctoral student will use a combination of recently developed methods for synthetic biology, cell encapsulation, and Nanopore-based sequencing of individual bacterial cells to investigate interactions between different microbial species in wastewater treatment plants. The doctoral student will also further develop these methods to create their own strategies for tracking and genotyping bacteriophage-infected cells in these complex microbial communities.

The doctoral position is located in Dr. Marcus Wäneskog's research group. The everyday language in the research group and at the MBW department is English. The department offers an international and multicultural research environment with researchers from all over the world.

Qualifications

To be admitted to graduate studies, the applicant must have basic and special eligibility. Eligibility must be met by the last day of application.

You have basic eligibility if you have completed a degree at advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (HEC), of which at least 60 HEC at advanced level, or in some other way within or outside the country have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

To meet the special eligibility requirements, the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the subject of molecular biosciences states that applicants must have completed a degree at advanced level, or have completed at least 240 HEC of university education, of which at least 120 HEC at basic level in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related subject area. In addition, the applicant must have completed advanced-level courses in molecular biosciences, microbiology, molecular biology, or corresponding subjects of at least 60 HEC, of which at least 30 HEC must consist of an independent research or degree project. Applicants who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad and can prove this through documented merits are also eligible.

Selection

Selection among applicants is made with regard to the ability to benefit from education at the doctoral level. Criteria used to assess this ability are:

• Ability for analytical and creative thinking.
• Ability to take own initiative and design new research experiments.
• Ability to develop scientific independence.
• Ability to collaborate scientifically within the framework of a research group.
• Assessment of previous academic results.
• The scientific quality of completed degree projects.
• Personal references.
• Personal interview.
• The applicant's written motivation for applying for the position.
• Good written and oral proficiency in Swedish and/or English.

Admission regulations for graduate studies at Stockholm University.

About the Position

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment must not be longer than what corresponds to full-time graduate education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own graduate education, but the employment may include work with education, research, and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%).

A new employment as a doctoral student is valid for a maximum of one year, and the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and to provide equal rights and opportunities for everyone.

Contact

Further information is provided by group leader Marcus Wäneskog, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Application

You apply for the doctoral position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a cover letter and CV, as well as the attachments requested in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is at the university's disposal by the last day of application.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the web page: Applying for a job.

Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment, and truth-seeking.