Vacant job

We draw strength from over 50,000 students and employees. Students who give hope for the future. Employees who contribute every day to Linköping University tackling the challenges of our time. Our core values are built on credibility, trust, and security. By being brave, thinking freely, and doing new things, we create a better future together, through both large and small actions. We welcome you to apply for a job with us!

We are now looking for a PhD student in Medical Science.

Your Responsibilities

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

Our research focuses on neonatal brain injury, and we use in vivo and in vitro models for preclinical studies. Your main project will focus on the role of peripheral immune cells in a model of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia. In this context, you will characterize cells from the innate immune system, primarily monocyte-derived macrophages. You will use RNA interference as a novel therapeutic strategy and test both in vitro and in vivo models of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia.

You will join an interdisciplinary research group at Linköping University, participate in regular lab meetings, and collaborate with other group members on related projects. Initially, you will receive close supervision and are expected to gradually take on increased responsibility for one or more sub-projects leading up to your thesis.

You will be supervised by Elena Di Martino and Ulrika Ådén at Linköping University, with co-supervision by Jennifer Dowling at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Your Qualifications

You hold a master’s degree, preferably in neuroscience, immunology, biotechnology, or a related field within biomedical science, or you have completed courses totaling at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at an advanced level in the aforementioned areas. Alternatively, you have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in another way.

You are expected to have at least basic experience with the following techniques:

• cell culture
• ELISA, WB
• DNA and RNA extraction, qRT-PCR
• immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence
• microscopy and stereology
• handling of laboratory animals
• data analysis using GraphPad Prism

Experience in the following areas is not required but considered advantageous:

• flow cytometry and basic data analysis using FlowJo
• programming and data analysis using R or Python

Additional advantages include:

• FELASA certification for working with laboratory animals
• knowledge of fetal and neonatal brain development and neuroinflammation
• previous participation in scientific writing

Alongside knowledge and practical skills, it is equally important that you are a person of integrity, capable of working responsibly both independently and within an interactive research team. We are looking for someone who fits well into our interdisciplinary group and can thrive and develop within it, which is why personal qualities are of great importance. You are expected to be resilient, flexible, well-organized, meticulous, and have a strong commitment to research excellence.

Finally, you must meet the specific eligibility requirements for doctoral studies (third cycle/PhD) regarding English proficiency (equivalent to English B/English 6 in Swedish upper secondary school).

You must submit a cover letter describing your relevant knowledge and experience in relation to the requirements mentioned above, as well as provide the names and contact details of three references who can attest to your personality, skills, and experiences if requested.

Your Workplace

Your primary workplace will be at the Medical Campus of Linköping University, located next to Linköping University Hospital, in a translational research environment with close collaboration between clinical and laboratory researchers.

The project is carried out within the Division of Women's and Children's Health, which is part of the Division of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (https://liu.se/organisation/liu/bkv (https://liu.se/organisation/liu/bkv)). You will have access to relevant research infrastructure and methodological support. You will be part of a multidisciplinary research environment with collaboration between academic and clinical units.

As part of your doctoral education and project, you will spend a three-month period in your co-supervisor's laboratory in Ireland.

About the Position

Upon commencement of employment, you will be admitted to the doctoral education program for the Faculty of Medicine. Your employment as a PhD student is processed in conjunction with your admission to the doctoral education. Read more about the faculty's doctoral education https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning (https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning)

The employment is fixed-term for four years full-time. You will initially be employed for one year, after which the employment will be renewed for up to two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan. Extension of employment up to five years occurs based on the extent of teaching and departmental duties. Further extension may occur under special circumstances.

Start date by agreement.

Salary and Benefits

PhD salaries are regulated according to a locally agreed salary scale. Read more about benefits for employees https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner (https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner).

Union Representatives

Information about union representatives, see https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/hjalp-for-sokande (https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/hjalp-for-sokande).

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the "Apply" button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than July 31, 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 obvious that we must safeguard everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work with equality and diversity (https://liu.se/artikel/lika-villkor/).

We look forward to receiving your application!

Linköping University has procurement agreements and declines direct contact from staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of job advertisements.