Doctoral student in Medical Science: Predicting eco-evolutionary dynamics in a polymicrobial urinary tract infection model Full-time

Doctoral Student In Medical Science: Predicting Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics In A Polymicrobial Urinary Tract Infection Model

The position is based in the Microbial Evolutionary Genetics (MEG) Lab led by Johannes Cairns at the Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University.

The group studies microbial evolution, antimicrobial resistance and microbial interactions using experimental evolution, microbial ecology, bioinformatics and quantitative analysis. We combine experimental microbiology with data-driven approaches and collaborate with national and international research environments.

The doctoral project, “Predicting eco-evolutionary dynamics in a polymicrobial urinary tract infection model”, investigates how species interactions shape antibiotic responses, community composition, biofilm formation and resistance evolution in a defined four-species UTI model. The project combines longitudinal experiments in planktonic and biofilm systems with quantitative analysis. The work includes experimental evolution, bacterial culturing and phenotyping, antibiotic dose-response experiments, sequencing-based analysis of community composition, statistical modelling and bioinformatics. The project is connected to the DDLS environment and includes collaboration with researchers at Lund University and other universities.

The main task for a doctoral student is to devote yourself to your doctoral studies, therefore you will be both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

You will:

• Plan and conduct longitudinal experiments with defined polymicrobial UTI model systems
• Establish, maintain and quality-control microbial culture systems, including planktonic and biofilm-based models
• Perform bacterial culturing, sampling, growth quantification, antibiotic dose-response experiments and resistance phenotyping
• Familiarize yourself with and use the university's systems for chemical management, risk assessment, and electronic laboratory documentation
• Work in a BSL-2 laboratory and follow applicable biosafety procedures, risk assessments, and local safety regulations
• Analyse experimental data in R and/or Python and contribute to statistical modelling and visualization
• Analyse sequencing-based and potentially other omics data
• Contribute to experimental planning, data management, manuscript preparation, seminars and scientific conferences
• Complete required courses and other activities within the doctoral education programme

Great emphasis will be placed on how the applicant, through his/her experience and competence, is judged to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral studies.

As a doctoral student in the MEG Lab, you will have access to modern microbiology infrastructure at BMC, close supervision, and participation in DDLS training and scientific meetings. The project provides training in both experimental microbiology and quantitative data analysis, with opportunities for national and international collaboration.

The position is a fixed-term employment for a total of four years, 100%, with a preliminary start date November 16, 2026 or as agreed. The main rule is that employment at Lund University is conducted in Sweden, and the work is expected to be carried out primarily on site at BMC in Lund.

Interviews can be conducted in person in Lund or online.

You apply for the position through Lund University's recruitment system. The application should include a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your qualifications match the project, a CV, degree certificates and transcripts, and your Master's thesis or equivalent independent research work.